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OPT: Al Mezan meets with UN fact finding mission concerning November 2006 massacre in Beit Hanoun

Reference: 27/2008

On 28 May 2008, a delegation from Al Mezan Center for Human Rights met with a UN High Level Fact-Finding Mission led by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Professor Christine Chinkin in Gaza City. The Mission arrived in Gaza nearly a year and a half late because of Israeli restrictions. They entered the Strip via Rafah Crossing on Tuesday, 27 May 2008. Al Mezan's delegation included the Center's Director, Mr. Issam Younis, Field Work Unit Coordinator, Mr. Samir Zaqout, and Communications Coordinator, Mr. Mahmoud Abu Rahma. The Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on 15 November 2006 in which it decided to send the Mission to investigate the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF) shelling of Al Athamneh family's homes, which claimed the lives of 19 civilians, including seven children and six women. Seventeen of the victims were from one family.

Al Mezan's delegation welcomed the Mission's successful entry into Gaza and wished it success in its task. The delegation began with an overview of the general situation in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli collective punishment measures and violations of human rights in the context in which the Beit Hanoun massacre occurred.

The Center reminded the Mission of the peaceful start of the second Intifada in September 2000 and the cruelty and violence the IOF used against unarmed demonstrators that led to a severe escalation of violence. Since that time, Gaza has seen hundreds of ground incursions and air attacks in which thousands of people were killed by the IOF. They also described in detail the military operation during which the Beit Hanoun massacre took place, which was called "Operation Autumn Clouds." This operation began on 1 November 2006 and continued until 28 November 2006, during which 104 people were killed, 346 people were injured, and vast destruction of infrastructure and properties occurred.

The Center then focused on the crime committed against Al Athamana family in the context of this operation, where the IOF fired 10-12 artillery shells that hit the civilian homes directly. Further, Al Mezan pointed out the grave violations that accompanied this military operation, such as the premeditated shelling of houses with missiles, targeting of a medical crew by shelling and killing three of its members, and the shelling of schools.

It also mentioned various other IOF attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip. On 3 November 2006, the third day of the Autumn Clouds operation, the IOF shelled a women's demonstration that was trying to reach the besieged Beit Hanoun town. As a result, 48-year-old Rawda Jaber was killed and seven other women were injured. In 2004, the IOF carried out Operation Rainbow in Rafah town, during which it killed dozens of people, destroyed about a hundred homes, and shelled a peaceful march with missiles and artillery.

The Center answered questions that were posed by the Mission that dealt with details surrounding the Beit Hanoun massacre. Relevant documents and evidence were made available to the Mission.

Al Mezan's Director and a number of civil society representatives in Gaza joined Archbishop Tutu and Professor Chinkin, along with their accompanying delegation, at a dinner. They wished success for the Mission and commended the considerable efforts they have undertaken in the Gaza Strip. Archbishop Tutu delivered a speech, in which he thanked the Palestinian people for their ability to live and withstand harsh conditions. He also thanked the group for their great cooperation. Archbishop Tutu closed with his hopes for justice to be implemented in Palestine and for the Palestinian people to enjoy their freedom like all other peoples.

End