Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs
- 17 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including a child and an old man, were killed by Israeli forces
- 9 of the victims were killed during an Israeli military incursion into Rafah refugee camp
- Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into the West Bank and Gaza Strip
- 46 houses and an apartment building in Rafah refugee camp were destroyed and more than 800 Palestinians have become homeless
- More areas of agricultural land were razed
- Houses were raided and a number of Palestinians were arrested
- Construction of the "separation wall" in the West Bank has continued
- Indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued and a number of Palestinian civilians were injured
- Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the OPTs
- A number of Palestinian civilians were injured or arrested by Israeli soldiers at military checkpoints and 2 newly-born twins died at an Israeli military checkpoint
Introduction
This week, Israeli occupying forces continued to violate the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Throughout the week, the Israeli army conducted incursions into Palestinian areas; shot at Palestinian civilians, including children; indiscriminately shelled residential areas; demolished houses; and leveled agricultural land. This week, 17 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including a child and an old man, were killed and a number of others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces. Occupying forces have also continued construction of the "separation wall" inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 5 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they killed a number of Palestinians and destroyed civilian property. On Tuesday, 23 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopter gunships, invaded Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. This large-scale incursion continued until Wednesday, 24 December 2003, during which Israeli occupying forces killed 9 Palestinians, including 7 civilians, injured 27 others, including a number of women and children, and destroyed 39 houses and a 3-story apartment building. As a result, 576 people (116 families) have become homeless. In addition, the civilian infrastructure of the camp and 3 civilian facilities, including 2 UNRWA centers, were severely damaged. This was the second major incursion into Rafah refugee camp this week, two days earlier Israeli occupying forces had invaded the camp and destroyed 7 Palestinian houses.
These recent Israeli invasions are part of an Israeli military strategy implemented in Rafah since the beginning of the current Intifada in September 2000. In the past three years Israeli occupying forces have destroyed over 800 Palestinian homes along the Egyptian border south of Rafah. Israeli authorities claim that this massive destruction is conducted for security reasons. However, PCHR's analysis of the facts on the ground strongly suggests that the Israeli occupying forces are establishing a large "buffer zone" on Palestinian land along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. All Palestinian structures along the border have been demolished and the land has been leveled by Israeli bulldozers. Furthermore, Israeli occupying forces have constructed cement sniper towers and an iron wall on Palestinian land inside the border.
On Monday evening, 22 December 2003, Israeli occupation forces attacked areas in the central Gaza Strip. Following an armed clash between members of the Palestinian resistance and Israeli soldiers on "Kissufim" settler road, southeast of Deir al-Balah, which left 2 Palestinian resistance men and 2 Israeli soldiers dead, Israeli occupying forces moved into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They destroyed 7 Palestinian houses and razed about 40 donums[1] of Palestinian agricultural land.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian communities. These raids focused especially on the towns of Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem and Hebron. During a wide-scale incursion into Nablus on Thursday, 18 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces committed 1 willful killing and used excessive force in the slaying 3 other Palestinians. Israeli soldiers also shot dead a 5-year-old Palestinian child during an Israeli military incursion into Balata refugee camp. Another Palestinian man died from tear gas inhalation when Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters inside his home during their attack on Balata camp. In another Israeli military incursion, a Palestinian civilian was shot dead by occupying forces in Jaba' village, south of Jenin. In addition, a Palestinian child died from a previous injury he sustained by Israeli occupying forces last week in Deir al-Hatab village, east of Nablus. This week, Israeli occupying forces also arrested a number of Palestinians, who are allegedly wanted by Israeli occupation authorities.
In violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law, Israeli occupying forces continued the second stage of the construction of the "separation wall" on Palestinian land in the West Bank. The second stage includes the construction of a section of the wall extending from "Alkanah" settlement, southeast of Qalqilya, to "Ofar" detention center, southwest of Ramallah. This section is 40-45km long. The barrier will pass through the villages of al-Zawia, Rafat, Deir Ballout, Kufor al-Dik and Bourqin in Qalqilya district, and al-Lubban, Rantis, 'Aabood, Deir Abu Masha'al, Shaqba, al-Qebia, Badras, Sabtin, Deir Qiddis, Na'lin, al-Midia, Bal'ein, Safa, Beit Siera, Kherbat al-Musbah, Beit Leqia, Beit Nouba, Beit 'Anan, Qutna, al-Qubaiba, Beit Sourik, Biddu, Beit Ajza, Beit Diqqu, al-Tira, Beit 'Our and 'Ein 'Arik in Ramallah district. Most of these villages will be left outside the wall and isolated from Palestinian communities and towns in the West Bank. According to information recently revealed by the Israeli military establishment, the total length of the wall will be 728km extending from the Jordan Valley to the south of Hebron, including 106km that will incorporate Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Israeli occupying forces have also continued to impose severe restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. They have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers stationed at illegal military checkpoints. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
This week, Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, continued to obstruct movement of Palestinian civilians. The two checkpoints, which are open for a maximum of a few hours each day, have become notorious for acts of humiliation and harassment by Israeli soldiers.
On Friday afternoon, 19 December 2003, and Monday afternoon, 22 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces again closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. They ordered Palestinian civilians to get out of the vehicles, checked their ID cards, and then forced them to stand for many hours in the rain. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were also forced to wait at the two checkpoints. On Monday evening, after long hours of waiting, hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including workers, attempted to cross the two checkpoints on foot. Israeli soldiers opened fire at these civilians, wounding 5.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have also continued to impose a curfew on Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, Ethna village, west of Hebron, and Housan village, west of Bethlehem. This week, Israeli occupying forces blocked Amman Street in the east of Nablus, dividing the city into two isolated areas. A Palestinian woman gave birth to 2 dead twins at Israeli military checkpoints when Israeli soldiers denied her passage to a hospital.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 18 December 2003
Israeli occupying forces committed 1 willful killing and used excessive force in slaying 3 other Palestinians during a wide-scale incursion into Nablus. According to investigations conducted by PCHR fieldworkers, at approximately 01:30 on Thursday around 50 Israeli military vehicles, supported by helicopter gunships, moved into Nablus through the southern and eastern entrances to the city. The military vehicles and gunships opened fire at houses and streets in the city. The Israeli forces invaded Balata refugee camp and took up positions in the streets. They then moved towards al-Shuhada square in the center of the city and surrounded Nablus' old town, before moving into the town at approximately 03:00.
At approximately 03:10, Israeli soldiers fired at 25-year-old 'Alaa al-Din Dawaia, wounding him with a live bullet in the chest. No ambulances were permitted access to the area and Dawaia remained on the ground bleeding until 04:00. At that time, a number of Israeli soldiers moved towards him and shot him dead with 8 live bullets. Israeli occupying forces said that Dawaia was attempting to plant an explosive device in the path of Israeli military vehicles. However, according to eyewitnesses, the victim was on his way from his home to his work at a bakery when he was killed.
In a separate incident during the incursion, a number of Israeli occupying soldiers broke into a 3-storey house owned by Tayseer al-Bustami. The soldiers held the residents in one room and mounted the roof of the house. Residents reported that at approximately 06:00, the soldiers on the roof of the house began to fire intensely. The Israeli forces withdrew from the city at approximately 08:10. Afterwards, residents of the area found the bodies of 3 Palestinians on the roof of a deserted house near al-Bustami's home. According to eyewitnesses, the bodies were found approximately 15m away from the place where Israeli soldiers were positioned.
The 3 victims were reportedly members of the Palestinian resistance who had attempted to confront the Israeli military incursion. The victims were later identified as:
1. Jibril Salim Hassan 'Awad, 24, from 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, hit by several live bullets throughout the body;
2. Majdi Mohammed Fakhri al-Bahash, 25, from Nablus, hit by several live bullets throughout the body; and
3. Fadi Tawfiq Sulayeh Hanani, from Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus, hit by several live bullets throughout the body.
Two Palestinian civilians were also wounded by the Israeli gunfire during this incursion:
1. Mazen Mohammed 'Owaijan, 24, wounded by a live bullet in the left knee; and
2. Yousef Khaldoun Mabrouka, 27, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.
At approximately 12:00, 5 Israeli heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 50m into Block L of Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. The vehicles indiscriminately shelled the area. A mosque and a 400-square-meter, 4-storey house owned by Ahmed 'Abdul Latif Jaber, in which 44 people (4 families) live, were severely damaged. Residents of the house were forced to evacuate it because of the intense shelling.
Friday, 19 December 2003
At approximately 06:30, two Israeli military jeeps moved into Kufor 'Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. Israeli occupying soldiers opened fire at Palestinian houses, wounding 15-year-old Eihab Mohammed Sa'id with a live bullet in the right foot. The soldiers then denied access to an ambulance attempting to reach the injured child.
At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 3 heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300m into 'Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood. The land is owned by Hamad Mousa Zayed Abu Jazar. During this incursion, Israeli soldiers also fired indiscriminately at the area.
At approximately 14:00, these Israeli occupying forces stationed in Balata refugee camp opened fire on 14-year-old Fathi Eyad Rayan, wounding him with a live bullet in the left thigh. PCHR's field worker in Nablus reported that the child was wounded when he was on the roof of his family's house in al-Hashashin area feeding birds.
Saturday, 20 December 2003
At approximately 02:00, 10 Israeli military jeeps moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers raided a number of Palestinian houses and forced their residents to evacuate their homes. The families were forced to stand in the rain as the soldiers arrested 3 children:
1. Mohammed 'Eissa Sabatin, 14;
2. Mohammed Raji Sabatin, 15; and
3. Mustafa Jamal Hamamra, 15.
At approximately 10:00, a number of Palestinian boys gathered in the center of Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They threw stones at Israeli occupying forces, which had moved into the camp since Tuesday, 16 December 2003. Israeli soldiers immediately opened fire on the boys, wounding 5:
1. Eyad Shafiq Ibrahim Hashash, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand;
2. Nidal Riad Mohammed Hourani, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;
3. Mohammed Ghazi 'Ezzat Saqer, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left ear;
4. Ibrahim Bilal Mohammed Sonouno, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg; and
5. Bashar Mohammed Khamis 'Ammar, 7, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right side.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces positioned in a military location to the north of al-Tuffah military checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed 'Atallah Hamed Hamad, 29, from Rafah, who was visiting his relatives in Khan Yunis, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.
Sunday, 21 December 2003
As part of an Israeli military strategy implemented in Rafah since the beginning of the current Intifada in September 2000, Israeli occupying forces moved into Rafah refugee camp and demolished 7 Palestinian houses. PCHR's analysis of the facts on the ground strongly suggests that the large-scale destruction of civilian structures in Rafah is part of an Israeli military strategy to establish a large "buffer zone" on Palestinian land along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and a helicopter gunship, moved approximately 200m into Block L in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under the cover of intense shelling, Israeli occupying forces totally demolished 7 houses, in which 56 people (14 families) lived:
1. A 300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Rezeq 'Abdul 'Aziz 'Ali al-'Absi, in which 13 people (6 families) lived;
2. A 200-square-meter house owned by Mahmoud Mohammed Radwan, in which 13 people (3 families) lived;
3. A 150-square-meter house owned by Hamed Subhi 'Ali, in which 7 people lived;
4. A 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Nawal 'Atiya al-Jabali, in which 6 people lived;
5. A 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Ammar Yousef 'Abdul Fattah Abu Swailem, in which 4 people lived;
6. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Emad Yousef 'Abdul Fattah Abu Swailem, in which 4 people lived; and
7. A 100-square-meter house owned by 'Adnan Joma'a Hassan Abu 'Armana, in which 9 people lived.
A Palestinian civilian, Jamal Yousef Abu Ziada, 37, was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets in the chest and the left hand as a result of the Israeli indiscriminate gunfire during this incursion.
At approximately 02:00, 20 Israeli military jeeps moved into Nablus through its southern entrance. They moved towards al-Makhfiya neighborhood. A number of Israeli occupying soldiers took positions on top of buildings surrounding the Hannoun apartment building. The soldiers used megaphones to order everyone to vacate the building and checked the ID cards of the residents. Upon their withdrawal, Israeli soldiers arrested Sheikh 'Adnan 'Aahed 'Asfour, 38, the spokesman of Hamas movement in the West Bank. 'Asfour has spent 15 years in Israeli jails starting from 1984.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli military bulldozers started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They also uprooted hundreds of trees in the areas close to the illegal Israeli settlement of "Tailem", which was established on lands owned by the Palestinian village.
According to Mohammed al-Ja'afra, Mayor of Tarqoumia, Israeli occupying forces informed him orally on Wednesday, 17 December 2003, that the commander of the "Israeli military central command" passed a military order to raze large areas of land in al-Taiba and Khellat al-Daba'a areas to the east of "Tailem" settlement. The order calls for the destruction of more than 3000 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives, almonds and grapes. These areas belong to the families of al-Fatafta, al-Karablia, al-Thabaina, Qa'qour, Qabaja and al-Shahrour. It is worth noting that the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz made a plan a few months ago to expand and fortify existing illegal Israeli settlements by incorporating adjacent Palestinian areas into the settlements. The plan was approved by the Sharon government, which allocated about US $200 million for implementation.
At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300m into Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. They razed 14 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 9-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Hussein Salman Hussein al-Sumairi.
2. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with almonds owned by 'Ali Salama 'Ali al-Sumairi.
At approximately 09:10, medical sources at Rafidya Hospital in Nablus declared that Nour Ahmed 'Ezzat 'Omran, 15, from Deir al-Hatab, east of Nablus, died from an injury he sustained by Israeli occupying forces last week.
At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 16 December 2003, about 30 Israeli military vehicles, supported by 2 helicopters, moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. A number of Israeli soldiers took positions on top of a Palestinian houses in the camp, from which they fired at the area. At approximately 09:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered near UNRWA schools in the west of the camp and began throwing stones at Israeli soldiers and military vehicles. Immediately, the soldiers opened fire at the area indiscriminately, wounding 11 Palestinian civilians, including 2 infants, a woman and an old man. One of the wounded, 15-year-old Anwar Ahmed 'Ezzat 'Omran, from Deir al-Hatab village, was hit by a live bullet in the head and was later pronounced clinically dead. The child was in the area visiting relatives in the camp. His brother was also wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet.
In a case of apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a 5-year-old Palestinian child in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.
According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 12:45, Mohammed Na'im Yousef al-'Aa'raj, 5, was eating a sandwich near his family's house in al-Quds Street in the west of Balata refugee camp, when an Israeli military jeep arrived at the area. The jeep stopped approximately 30 meters from the child and an Israeli soldier got out. The soldier immediately fired on the child, hitting him with a live bullet in the chest. The soldier then fired into the air and got back into the jeep which quickly left the area. A number of people hurried towards the Mohammed to offer him help, but he was dead. Medical sources report that the child's heart was punctured by a live bullet. According to eyewitnesses, the area was completely quiet when the killing occurred. The Israeli soldier fired on the child from a distance of approximately 30 meters.
In the evening, Zuhair Mahmoud Ahmed 'Owais, 53, from Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus died from tear gas inhalation. He is the bother of Nasser 'Owais, who has been detained by Israeli occupying forces, and the father of Mohammed 'Owais, 23, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli occupying authorities.
According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces raided 'Owais' house in Balata refugee camp, searching for his son. When they left the house, Israeli soldiers threw a number of tear gas canisters into the house. 'Owais fainted due to tear gas inhalation. He was already dead when emergency workers evacuated him to the National Hospital in Nablus. It is worth noting, that Israeli soldiers usually raid 'Owais' house two to three times every day.
Monday, 22 December 2003
At approximately 02:00, 15 Israeli military vehicles moved into Taffouh village, west of Hebron. Israeli occupying forces raided and searched Palestinian houses in al-Farsh and Kuroum neighborhoods and forced their residents out. Then, they arrested 3 Palestinians:
1. Firas Nasser al-Tarda, 24, charge d'affaires of Secretary General of Fatah movement in the village;
2. Ahmed Salama Khamaisa, 35; and
3. Khaled Ibrahim al-Tarda, 39.
At the same time, Israeli soldiers raided Mohammed Fadhel Zahda's house in al-Hawooz neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron, and arrested his son, Bahaa', 24.
At approximately 06:00, 20 Israeli military vehicles, supported by 2 helicopter gunships, moved into Jenin town and refugee camp and opened fire at Palestinian houses and markets. The Israeli occupying forces moved towards the eastern quarters of the town and surrounded a house there. At noon, they arrested Aysar Saleh Abu Es'eid, 26, claiming that he is the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement in Jenin. In addition, 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded by the Israeli gunfire:
1. Ra'fat Sa'id 'Ali 'Owais, 13, from Jenin, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the back;
2. Mahmoud Amin 'Abdul Rahman, 15, from Jenin refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the neck;
3. Ahmed Fawzi Jarrar, 23, from Jenin, wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
4. 'Ammar 'Abdul Nasser 'Ammar Mansour, 25, from Bourqin village, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg; and
5. Jamal 'Ali Yousef Daraghma, 35, from Tubas, wounded by a live bullet in the chin.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers in a military location to the north of al-Tuffah military checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who were playing on the ruins of destroyed houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. In the meantime, UNRWA workers were repairing a water pipeline that was damaged by Israeli occupying forces during an incursion into the camp earlier this month. The children escaped, but two of the workers and a third civilian were wounded by the Israeli gunfire:
1. Ahmed Mohammed Mousa Abu Mustafa, 57, an UNRWA worker, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
2. Mohammed Tawfiq 'Abdul Hadi Dahlan, 47, an UNRWA worker, wounded by shrapnel in the face; and
3. Khaled 'Ali Abu 'Obaida, 24, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the limbs.
At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Amman Street in the east of Nablus and took position near al-Rawda College. A number of school children gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire on the children, wounding 14-year-old Islam Ma'moun Najeh Khalil with a live bullet in the left leg.
In a blatant disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians and their right to freedom of movement, Israeli soldiers positioned at Abu Houli military checkpoint, south of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at hundreds of Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the checkpoint to cross towards the southern Gaza Strip. 5 civilians were wounded.
According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 19:00, after a 4-hour closure of al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoint on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, hundreds of Palestinian civilians gathered and moved towards Abu Houli checkpoint in an attempt to cross towards the southern Gaza Strip. Immediately, Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoint opened fire at these civilians. As a result, 5 civilians were wounded:
1. Khaled Hafez Salem Zo'rob, 38, from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot;
2. Hadi Yousef al-Najjar, 46, from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;
3. Yousef Ibrahim al-Najjar, 46, from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot;
4. 'Abdul Latif Hammad Mohammed al-Dabbas, 41, from Rafah, wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen; and
5. 'Abdullah Ahmed 'Edwan, 41, from Rafah, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
In the evening, Israeli occupation forces attacked areas in the central Gaza Strip. Following an armed clash between members of the Palestinian resistance and Israeli soldiers on "Kissufim" settler road, southeast of Deir al-Balah, which left 2 Palestinian resistance men and 2 Israeli soldiers dead, Israeli occupying forces moved into Abu Sha'ar area in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. Armored Israeli military bulldozers then destroyed 7 Palestinian houses and razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land.
According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 19:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300m into Abu Sha'ar area in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. This incursion continued until the evening of the following day, during which Israeli occupying forces destroyed 5 Palestinian houses totally and 2 others partially:
1. They totally destroyed a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Wa'el Hassan 'Abdul Karim al-Zar, in which 8 people lived.
2. They totally destroyed a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Salama Hassan 'Abdul Karim al-Zar, in which 5 people lived.
3. They totally destroyed a 130-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Suleiman Joma'a Abu Sulisel.
4. They totally destroyed a 180-square-meter uninhabited house owned by Rami Suleiman al-Sumairi.
5. They totally destroyed a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ibrahim Ahmed al-Sumairi, in which 5 people lived.
6. They partially destroyed a 50-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Salama al-Sumairi, in which 3 people live.
7. They partially destroyed a 50-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Miriam Marzouq al-Sumairi, in which he lives alone.
Israeli occupying forces did not allow the families to vacate any of their belongings before the destruction. In addition, they razed 37 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed agricultural facilities:
1. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Miriam Marzouq al-Sumairi.
2. They destroyed a 15-square-meter, asbestos-roofed agricultural room and a 21-meter-long fence owned by Salem 'Atwa Khattab.
3. They destroyed a 20-meter-long fence surrounding a house owned by Manal 'Atiya al-Sumairi.
4. They destroyed 2 32-square-meter rooms and a 20-square-meter animal barracks owned by Mohammed Tawfiq al-Kurd.
5. They razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Raji Marzouq al-Sumairi and brothers.
6. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and vegetables owned by Khaled Zayed al-Sumairi.
7. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Maher Suleiman al-Sumairi.
8. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with olives stood, owned by Mohammed 'Awad al-Sumairi.
9. They destroyed a well owned by Bashir Ahmed al-Sumairi.
Tuesday, 23 December 2003
In another war crime perpetrated against Palestinian civilians and property, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by tanks and helicopters, moved into Rafah refugee camp in the south of the Gaza Strip in the morning. Israeli forces remained in the camp until the morning of the following day, intensely shelling and shooting at the area. The Rafah refugee camp is one of the most densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip and attacks by Israeli forces inevitably result in massive damage. During this incursion, Israeli occupying forced killed 9 Palestinians, including 7 civilians, and wounded 37 others, including a number of women and children. 8 of the wounded were left in serious condition. In addition, 39 homes were destroyed by explosive charges and armored Israeli bulldozers and a 3-story apartment building was destroyed. The demolition of the apartment building resulted in severe damaged to 2 neighboring buildings. Approximately 765 Palestinians (116 families) have become homeless due to this latest Israeli invasion. The incursion also resulted in massive damage to civilian infrastructure and facilities in the refugee camp and Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on the entire area.
This recent Israeli invasion is part of an Israeli military strategy implemented in Rafah since the beginning of the current Intifada in September 2000. In three years Israeli occupying forces have destroyed over 1000 Palestinian homes along the Egyptian border south of Rafah. Israeli authorities claim that this massive destruction is conducted for security reasons. However, PCHR's analysis of the facts on the ground strongly suggests that the Israeli occupying forces are establishing a large "buffer zone" on Palestinian land along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. All Palestinian structures along the border have been demolished and the land has been leveled by Israeli bulldozers. Furthermore, Israeli occupying forces have constructed cement sniper towers and an iron wall on Palestinian land inside the southern border.
According to eyewitnesses in the Rafah refugee camp, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by about 40 heavy military vehicles and 2 helicopters invaded the camp at approximately 02:30 Tuesday morning. Under the cover of intense shelling, Israeli forces moved approximately 400m into Block L, Block O and Block N adjacent to the Egyptian border. Israeli soldiers have entered a number of houses and transformed them into military posts. Soldiers have remained in these positions through the afternoon, using the houses to fire at the area. This morning, 2 Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli gunfire while they were near their homes:
1. Khalil Mohammed 'Abdullah al-Qassas, 50, hit by a live bullet in the chest; and
2. 'Ali Hassan al-Najjar, 22, hit by a live bullet in the chest.
Soon after Israeli occupying forces seized control over the camp they started to destroy Palestinian homes and civilian infrastructure. In all, 23 Palestinian homes were destroyed completely and 16 others partially.
After the initial invasion, members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli occupying forces. During the clashes, an Israeli combat helicopter launched 2 missiles, killing Khamis Anwar al-Ra'ei, 21, with shrapnel throughout the body. Two other resistance men were wounded, including Mohammed Kamel Mansour, 27, who was hit by shrapnel throughout the body. Mansour succumbed to his wound and died later on the same day.
Throughout the day, Israeli occupying forces continuously shelled the refugee camp from various posts and military vehicles along the border. This shelling was accompanied by indiscriminate shooting from Israeli military positions resulting in the killing of 5 other Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Aa'ed Ibrahim al-Najjar, hit by a live bullet in the chest;
2. Ahmed al-'Abed al-Najjar, 32, hit by a live bullet in the head;
3. Rami 'Azmi al-Haj Ahmed, 21, hit by 2 live bullets in the abdomen and the left leg;
4. 'Alaa' 'Ata Bahloul, 24, hit by a live bullet in the abdomen; and
5. We'am Rezeq Mousa, 26, hit by a live bullet in the head.
One of the victims was hit by a live bullet while he was at work near the gate of the Rafah Border Terminal, more than 2000m away from the refugee camp. In addition, 37 civilians, including 8 children and women, were injured as a result of the Israeli invasion. There were 8 cases of serious injury reported which were aggravated by the fact that ambulances faced difficulties accessing the area and residents were often forced to carry the wounded long distances to reach medical care.
At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 24 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces surrounded a 450-square-meter, 3-storyapartment building in Rafah owned by Salah 'Abdul Jawad Abu Taha. The building consisted of 15 flats. Israeli soldiers called on the residents to evacuate their apartments without allowing them to take any of their belongings. At approximately 06:30, Israeli soldiers planted explosive devices inside the building and destroyed it. Two neighboring apartment buildings were severely damaged: a 420-square-meter, 3-story building that includes 12 flats also owned by Abu Taha; and a 4-story building that consists of 11 flats owned by various people. Israeli occupying forces claimed that there was a tunnel under the destroyed building.
At approximately 07:00, Israeli soldiers positioned at Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus, fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who resorted to dirt roads to enter Nablus. A Palestinian woman, Haniya Hussein 'Ali Darwish, 24, from Salem village, was wounded by a live bullet in the nose.
At the same time, Israeli soldiers in military posts in the old town of Hebron fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at a number of Palestinian school children who were on their way to their schools. 2 children were wounded:
1. Bayan Sa'ad Jaber, 15, sustained serious injuries and burns in the neck as a tear gas canister hit her in the head; and
2. Tariq Mohammed al-Rujbi, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back.
At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Dahia area in the south of Nablus to maintain the curfew already imposed on the area. Israeli soldiers fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who were attempting to obtain foodstuffs. One of these civilians, Sabri Mohammed Sabri al-Kurdi, 24, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.
At approximately 20:00, an Israeli military jeep moved into Jaba' village, south of Jenin. The jeep patrolled the streets of the village and Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian houses and passing civilians. As a result, Eyad Khalil Amin 'Alawna, 27, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head. He succumbed to his wound upon his evacuation to the hospital and died later that day. According to eyewitnesses, the village was completely quiet when Israeli soldiers opened fire. The victim was married and a father of 3 children.
Wednesday, 24 December 2003
At approximately 10:00, Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian houses in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A Palestinian civilian, 'Orabi 'Abdul Fattah Jarallah, 20, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis, while he was near his house.
At noon, Israeli occupying forces at al-Karama Terminal on the Jordanian border arrested Qassam Marwan al-Barghouthi, 19, the eldest son of the Secretary General of Fatah movement in the West Bank Marwan al-Barghouthi, who has been detained by Israeli occupying forces for more than 18 months. Qassam is a student at an Egyptian university and he was on his way to the West Bank to spend his vacation with his family. He was transferred to "Ofar" detention center, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 13:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 100m into al-Qarara village, northwest of Khan Yunis. They surrounded a building of al-Matahen Flour Company and called on workers in the company through megaphones to evacuate the building. Then, Israeli soldiers checked the workers and forced them to wait outside for 4 hours, during which a number of Israeli soldiers searched the building using dogs. Israeli occupying forces claimed that they were searching for a Palestinian gunman.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 700m into Abu Houli area, south of Deir al-Balah. This incursion continued until 17:00, during which they razed 50 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 25-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, citrus and guavas owned by 'Abdul Qader Mutair Hussein Abu Houli.
2. They razed a 25-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, citrus and guavas owned by 'Emad Salem Abu Rezeq.
Continued Construction of the "Separation Wall"
Anticipating the consideration of the case of the "separation wall" by International Court of Justice in accordance of the UN General Assembly Resolution adopted on 8 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces intensified construction of the wall. Israeli occupying forces are constructing several sections of the wall at the same time to create new facts on the ground. According to information available to PCHR, about 15000 workers, using 1700 bulldozers and machines have been working on 3 different sections of the wall. The first section extends east from Salem village, west of Jenin, to "Tirat Tsvi" settlement in the northern Jordan Valley. The second section is in the area of Rantis village, northwest of Ramallah, while the third section cuts through eastern parts of Jerusalem.
The second stage includes the construction of a portion of the wall extending from "Alkanah" settlement, southeast of Qalqilya, to "Ofar" detention center, southwest of Ramallah. It is 40-45km long. It will pass through the villages of al-Zawia, Rafat, Deir Ballout, Kufor al-Dik and Bourqin in Qalqilya district, and al-Lubban, Rantis, 'Aabood, Deir Abu Masha'al, Shaqba, al-Qebia, Badras, Sabtin, Deir Qiddis, Na'lin, al-Midia, Bal'ein, Safa, Beit Siera, Kherbat al-Musbah, Beit Leqia, Beit Nouba, Beit 'Anan, Qutna, al-Qubaiba, Beit Sourik, Biddu, Beit Ajza, Beit Diqqu, al-Tira, Beit 'Our and 'Ein 'Arik in Ramallah district. Most of these villages will be left outside the wall and isolated from Palestinian communities and towns in the West Bank.
According to information recently revealed by the Israeli military establishment, the total length of the wall will be 728km extending from the Jordan Valley to the south of Hebron, including 106km that will incorporate Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The Israeli military Deputy Chief of Staff stated to the Israeli parliamentary committee of foreign and security affairs on Tuesday, 23 December 2003, that the construction of the wall cost 8.5 billion NIS and that 1.27 billion NIS has been spent so far. He also stated that 600 million NIS will be allocated for construction of the wall in the next year.
Continued Siege on the OPT
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. They have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers stationed at Israeli military checkpoints. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
This week, Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, continued to obstruct movement of Palestinian civilians. The two checkpoints, which are open for a maximum of a few hours each day, have become notorious for acts of humiliation and harassment by Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 19 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints and held many Palestinian vehicles in between. They forced a number of vehicles to move into an enclosed area for searching. They ordered Palestinian civilians to get out of the vehicles, checked their ID cards, and then forced them to wait for many hours in the rain. This procedure continued until 16:00. In the evening, Israeli occupying forces claimed that they arrested a Palestinian activist.
At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 20 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints until 08:30, during which they held and searched 3 Palestinian vehicles.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 22 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints again and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. They ordered Palestinian civilians to get out of the vehicles, checked their ID cards, and then forced them to wait for many hours. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were also forced to wait at the two checkpoints. At approximately 19:00, hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including workers, attempted to cross the two checkpoints on foot. Israeli soldiers fired at these civilians, wounding 5. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces detained 4 Palestinians, including Mahmoud Ahmed al-Farra, 27, from Khan Yunis, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force. Al-Farra remained in custody, while the other three were released later.
Israeli occupying forces have maintained the siege imposed on the al-Sayafa area between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians moving into and out of the area are now subjected to prolonged physical checks by Israeli soldiers stationed at the only entry point to the area. They are allowed to move from and into the area between 06:30 and 8:30 and between 14:00 and 16:15, but these periods are often subject to arbitrary restrictions. Israeli soldiers force male Palestinians to reveal their upper part of the body while going to the checking area. Female Palestinians area searched by female Israeli soldiers. Entry of foodstuffs into the area is only allowed twice a week. Those foodstuffs are checked by a trained dog. When the dog is absent, entry of foodstuffs is not allowed. School children are forced to cross long distances on foot to reach their schools. When they come back from schools, they are not allowed to enter the area except during the entry hours.
Israeli occupying forces have also continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip, restricting movement into and out of the area. Israeli occupying forces have increased restrictions on movement of Palestinian through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis. Male Palestinians under 35 years old and female ones under 25 have been denied passage across the checkpoint.
The West Bank
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to close permanent military checkpoints and erected temporary ones on the main and branch roads. They allow passage only for Palestinians who are over 35 years old and those who have cards that identify their jobs, such as teachers and medical personnel. Israeli soldiers often close military checkpoints for no apparent reasons. For instance, on Tuesday morning, 23 December 2003, Israeli soldiers closed Hawara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, and forced Palestinian civilians to go back to their homes.
On Monday morning, 22 December 2003, Israeli soldiers at Deir Ballout military checkpoint, east of Qalqilya, and at al-Lubban checkpoint, northwest of Ramallah, denied passage of a Palestinian woman, who was pregnant in the 7th month and was in labor, claiming that she could not pass because she was traveling in a private car not in an ambulance. The woman gave birth for 2 twins who died at the checkpoints.
According to PCHR's investigations, and an affidavit by Lamis Tayseer Ibrahim Qassem, 26, from Deir Ballout village, at approximately 01:30, she felt pains of labor. Immediately, her husband called for an ambulance from Beit Rima village. He asked medical personnel to meet him and his wife near Deir Ballout checkpoint in order to save time. Then, he took his wife in his private car towards the checkpoint. At approximately 02:00, they arrived at the checkpoint and an ambulance was waiting at the other side of the checkpoint. However, Israeli soldiers denied passage for the medical personnel to take the woman to the ambulance. At approximately 03:30, Israeli soldiers finally agreed to allow the medical personnel to go to the woman. Soon, the woman gave birth to a dead baby. Then, Israeli soldiers allowed the ambulance to take the woman and travel towards Ramallah. On the way to Ramallah, Israeli soldiers at al-Lubban military checkpoint stopped and searched the ambulance. There, the woman gave birth to another dead baby.
Nablus
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose restriction on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also fired at civilians attempting to access the city by dirt roads to avoid passing by Israeli military checkpoints, which have been turned into sites of humiliation and degrading treatment. On Tuesday morning, 23 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces partitioned the city into two zones by blocking Amman Street in the east with sand barriers. They prohibited movement of Palestinian vehicles between the east and west of the city.
In the meantime, Israeli occupying forces continued to impose a curfew on Balata refugee camp and the eastern parts of the city since Tuesday morning, 16 December 2003. Israeli soldiers have opened fire on any persons outside of their homes. For instance, they shot dead a 5-year-old Palestinian child and injured 2 other civilians, claiming that they challenged the curfew imposed on Balata refugee camp.
Hebron
Since Friday, 19 March 2003, Israeli occupying forces have imposed a tightened siege on Ethna village, west of Hebron. They have blocked its entrances with sand barriers and roadblocks. Palestinian civilians and vehicles wishing to travel from and into the village have been subject to strict searches. Israeli occupying forces have also raided houses in the village.
At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 22 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on the southern and eastern areas of Hebron, forcing approximately 45000 Palestinians to stay inside their homes. On Tuesday morning, 23 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces denied access to thousands of school children attempting to reach their schools to attend the final exams of the first term of this school year. According to the director of education in Hebron, the educational process was interrupted in several schools and Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and tear gas to prevent school children from accessing their schools.
Bethlehem
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a curfew on Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They have also continued to close all roads linking between Bethlehem and the villages to the west.
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.
3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches perpetrated 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.
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
Note: [1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.