The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations
Affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists - Geneva
Member of the International Federation for Human Rights - Paris
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network -- Copenhagen
E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org
Israeli forces continue their flagrant
disregard for the lives of Palestinian Civilians
- 19 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including
5 children, were killed by Israeli forces
- 13 of the victims, including 3 brothers
and a toddler, were killed during an Israeli incursion into al-Shojaeya
neighborhood in Gaza
- One of the victims was run down by Israeli
forces in Tulkarm
- A British journalist was killed by Israeli
forces in Rafah
- Israeli forces conducted a series of
incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling
- 18 houses were destroyed in Rafah
- Large areas of Palestinian agricultural
land in Khan Yunis was razed
- Continued indiscriminate shelling of
Palestinian residential areas and an infant killed in Khan Yunis
- The Israeli retaliatory campaign continues
against families of wanted Palestinians and those who allegedly carried
out armed attacks against Israeli targets, resulting the destruction of
5 houses
- More Palestinians were arrested
- Israeli forces continued to use Palestinian
civilians as human shields in military operations
- Continued siege on Palestinian communities and a number of Palestinians were arrested at Israeli military checkpoints
Introduction
Israeli occupying forces have continued to conduct illegal actions and human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including collective punishment, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas and agricultural land leveling. This week, 1-7 May 2003, 19 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 5 children, an old man and a handicapped male, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.
In another military attack on Palestinian civilian areas, Israeli occupying forces killed 13 Palestinians, including a toddler, three children, a handicapped man and three brothers, in Gaza City. At least 40 others were wounded when Israeli occupying forces invaded Gaza City's al-Shojaeya neighborhood, supported by helicopter gunships. Israeli forces destroyed a house while two brothers remained inside and an old man died from a heart attack when his family was unable to evacuate him to hospital. Israeli forces claimed that the operation was aimed at arrested a wanted Palestinian. This operation reflects a systematic policy adopted by the Israeli government and its occupying forces aimed at killing innocent civilians and destroying civilian property. In two similar operations in March, Israeli forces killed dozens of Palestinian civilians in Jabalya and al-Boreij refugee camps in the Gaza Strip and destroyed dozens of houses and civilian facilities.
Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, during which they attacked Palestinian civilians and property. This week, Israeli occupying forces demolished 18 Palestinian houses in Rafah, leaving more than 100 Palestinian civilians homeless. This brings the total number of houses destroyed by Israeli forces in Rafah since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada to more than 600- the highest number throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This total does not include the thousands of houses that have been damaged.
On Friday, 2 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a 34-year-old British journalist, while he was filming a documentary with 5 other journalists, on the lives of Palestinian children in Rafah, near the border with Egypt. It is reported that Israeli forces even hesitated in offering him medical aid when he was injured. James Miller and his colleagues had been in the Gaza Strip for several weeks, filming a documentary for HBO on the lives of Palestinian children in Rafah. This brings the total number of journalists killed by Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada in September 2000 to 7 - 5 Palestinians and 2 foreigners.
This week, Israeli forces razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis.
As a result of the indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas by Israeli occupying forces, 5 Palestinians, including a child and an infant, were killed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. One of the victims was killed when an Israeli military vehicle hit his car and then obstructed his evacuation to hospital. A sixth Palestinian civilian died from a previous injury he sustained during an Israeli incursion into Jabalya refugee camp on 11 March 2003.
In violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits collective punishment, Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against families of Palestinians who have carried out attacks against Israeli targets in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and those wanted by Israeli forces. In this context, they destroyed 5 houses in the West Bank towns of Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus.
Israeli occupying forces continue to maintain their total siege of the OPT and have isolated Palestinian communities from one another. They have partitioned the Gaza Strip into three separate zones and have restricted the movement of people and goods. They have also maintained curfews on some areas in the West Bank. Since Saturday, 15 March 2003, Israeli occupying authorities have prevented Palestinians aged 16-35 from traveling abroad. On 6 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed Rafah terminal at the border with Egypt for no apparent reason. They also maintained the closure of Beit Hanoun crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, denying Palestinian workers access to their places of work in Israel. Also this week, Israeli forces blocked cars between al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, checking Palestinian civilians traveling between the south and north of the Gaza Strip, which resulted in a number of arrests.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
Thursday, 1 May 2003
At approximately 00:30, about 30 Israeli heavy military vehicles, supported by helicopters, moved approximately 200m into al-Sha'er neighborhood on the border with Egypt, south of Rafah. They surrounded the area and called via megaphones for the residents to evacuate their homes. Israeli soldiers forcibly entered 3 homes, planted explosives and then detonated them. Three neighboring houses were destroyed in the blasts and three others were severely damaged. Israeli forces also totally demolished two houses and partially destroyed two others. During the raid, Israeli forces arrested Romania Mills, 27, a British ISM activist, when she attempted to stop Israeli soldiers from entering the home of the Qeshta family, where she had been staying. Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the area at approximately 05:30, after also destroying the electricity, communications and sewage networks.
Following are details of the destruction and damaged incurred to houses by Israeli forces:
1. They totally destroyed a 300-square-meter house owned by Mohammed Hassan Mohammed al-Sha'er in which 4 families (24 people) lived.
2. They totally destroyed a 150-square-meter house owned by 'Aayesh Salam Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 5 people lived.
3. They totally destroyed a 200-square-meter house owned by Salah Salam Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 10 people lived.
4. They totally destroyed a 300-square-meter house owned by Mohammed Salam Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 8 people lived.
5. They totally destroyed a 170-square-meter house owned by Mahmoud Hammad Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which two families (14 people) lived.
6. They totally destroyed a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Awadh Mohammed Hassan al-Sha'er, in which 7 people lived.
7. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Salem Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sha'er.
8. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter house owned by Sami Salem Mohammed al-Sha'er.
9. They partially demolished a 300-square-meter house owned by Fawzi Salem Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which two families (7 people) live.
10. They partially demolished a 300-square-meter house owned by 'Abdul Maqsoud Salman Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 3 families (20 people) live.
11. They partially destroyed a 300-square-meter house owned by Salah Salem Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which two families (11 people) live.
12. They partially destroyed a 200-square-meter house owned by 'Ata 'Atiya Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 4 families (25 people) live.
13. They partially destroyed a 150-square-meter house owned by Mohammed 'Atiya Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 8 people live.
In another military attack on Palestinian civilian areas, Israeli occupying forces killed 13 Palestinians, including a toddler, three children, a handicapped man and three brothers, in Gaza City. At least 40 others were wounded when Israeli occupying forces invaded the al-Shojaeya neighborhood of the city, supported by helicopter gunships.
According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 01:45, dozens of Israeli heavy military vehicles, including bulldozers moved from the eastern border of the Gaza Strip approximately 500m into the densely populated al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Israeli forces seized control of the neighborhood and took up military positions on the roofs of some Palestinian houses, where they opened fire on the neighborhood. Israeli forces surrounded houses belonging to the Abu Hain family. They threw hand grenades at one of the houses, where Yousef, Mahmoud and Ayman Khaled Abu Hain where believed to be hiding. Israeli forces called via megaphones for the three brothers to leave the house, but they refused. Soon after, Israeli forces fired several artillery shells at the house. The roof of the house collapsed over Yousef and Mahmoud and the body of the third brother, Ayman, was found near the house. He had been shot by several live bullets throughout his body. Israeli occupying forces claimed that Yousef was wanted for his activities with the Hamas movement.
As a result of the indiscriminate shelling and gunfire by the Israeli forces that continued until the afternoon, 6 Palestinian civilians were killed, including a toddler and two children:
1. Ameer Ahmed 'Ayad, 2, hit by several live bullets in the chest and abdomen;
2. Mohammed Nasser al-Dahdouh, 13, hit by several live bullets in the chest and abdomen;
3. Ahmed Ramadan al-Tatar, 13, hit by several live bullets in the chest and abdomen;
4. Nasser Nemer Helles, 36, hit by a live bullet in the abdomen;
5. Baker Subhi Muhaisen, 40, handicapped, hit by a live bullet in the chest; and
6. Mohammed Kamal Abu Zarina, 30, hit by a live bullet in the head.
In addition, about 40 other Palestinians were wounded, including 5 seriously and access for Palestinian ambulances and medical staff to the wounded was obstructed. Shehda al-Gharabli, 67, died of a heart attack, but his family was unable to evacuate his body to hospital.
A number of Palestinian resistance men confronted the Israeli invasion of the area, which continued until 16:20. In the clashes that erupted with Israeli occupying forces, 3 Palestinian resistance men were killed:
1. 'Abdullah Farajallah al-'Omrani, 21, hit by a live bullet in the head;
2. Mohammed Na'im Basel Na'im, 20, hit by several live bullets throughout the body; and
3. Rami Khader Sa'ad, 25, hit by several live bullets throughout the body.
'Allam al-Sersawi, 36, a resident of the neighborhood, told PCHR's Gaza City field worker that Israeli forces destroyed the walls of some the houses, when moving from one house to another. He added that Israeli soldiers forced him and his family out of their house and ordered him and his brother, Eihab, to take off their clothes and then used them as human shields to protect them from Palestinian resistance men who were confronting the Israeli forces.
During the house raids, Israeli forces arrested 7 members of the Abu Hain family, including a woman and her 5-year-old daughter, detained them in a house belonging to 'Abdullah Abu Hain and then transferred them to the industrial zone of al-Mentar crossing. Israeli forces then interrogated the detainees and finally released four, but kept three in custody:
1. Ussama Saqer Hassan Abu Hain, 19, a university student;
2. Yasser Hassan Hussein Abu Hain, 26, a journalist; and
3. Dr. Fadel Khaled Hussein Abu Hain, 43, a university professor, whose three brothers were killed.
As a result of the indiscriminate Israeli shelling, two Palestinian houses were destroyed, including the one where the three Abu Hain brothers were hiding - a 180-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Ibrahim Ahmed Abu Hain, in which 4 people lived. In addition, dozens of houses were damaged.
Israeli occupying forces killed two Palestinians in al-Qassir area in the northwest of Yatta village, south of Hebron late during the night on Wednesday, 30 April 2003. The killing was not detected until Thursday evening, 1 May 2003.
According to information available to PCHR, early in the morning of Thursday, 1 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Qassir area in Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli soldiers deployed in the area began firing at Palestinian houses and then raided the house of Mohammed Jibril Shehada al-Makhamra, 30, and forced him and his family out. At approximately 04:00, they took him to an area located approximately 150m away from his house, where they asked him to identify two bodies. They were identified as:
1. Khaled Jubril Shehada al-Makhamra, 27; and
2. Mahmoud Sa'ad Budair, 22, from Khan Yunis, a member of the Palestinian National Force.
Later, an Israeli military spokesman claimed that Israeli forces had clashed with armed activists hiding in a house, killing two of them. However, according to al-Makhamra, he did not see any weapons near the bodies when he identified them. He stated that his brother - one of the two victims - was not a political or military activist, and had permission to work in a Jewish settlement. A Palestinian source stated that the other victim, Budair, was not wanted by Israeli occupying forces. The two were killed outside, not in a house, contrary to Israeli military claims. Apparently, Israeli soldiers killed Budair and al-Makhamra in the area where their bodies were found.
At approximately 10:45, Israeli occupying forces on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian child, Fadel 'Aatef al-Masri, 7, was injured by shrapnel to the head, while he was near his family's house, approximately 300m away from the border.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces in a military location at Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the west. A Palestinian woman, 'Aa'esha Suleiman Abu Mo'ammar, 37, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh, while she was inside her house approximately 700m west of the crossing.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli occupying forces on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block J in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Na'im Ghazi Abu Ramadan, 32, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh, while he was near his house.
Friday, 2 May 2003
At approximately 07:30, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Gush Qatif" settlement block, south of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Berka area in the south of the central Gaza Strip town. A Palestinian woman, 'Etaf Suleiman Abu Shmas, 40, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg, while she was in her house, approximately 500m away from the source of fire.
During the fourth incursion into the area in less than two weeks, at approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 500m into Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. They razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat, demolished 3 iron-roofed rooms and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Isma'il Khalil Suleiman al-Najjar.
2. They razed a 9-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Mohammed Suleiman Abu Rujaila.
3. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Suleiman Salem Hassanein Qudaih.
4. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and onions owned by Salman Salem Hassanein Qudiah.
5. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and onions owned by Ahmed Salem Hassanein Qudiah.
6. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Ibrahim Suleiman al-Najjar.
7. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Khaled Ibrahim al-Najjar.
8. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Suleiman Ibrahim al-Najjar.
9. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and a 100-meter-long row of wild figs, demolished a room and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ibrahim 'Abdu 'Ali Abu Jame'.
10. They razed a 7-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and a 100-meter-long row of wild figs, demolished a room and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Khalil 'Abdu 'Ali Abu Jame'.
11. They razed a 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and onions and a 50-meter-long row of wild figs, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by 'Ata 'Abdul Mawla 'Abdu 'Ali Abu Jame'.
12. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Ibrahim Hussein Qudaih.
13. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Salem Hussein Qudiah.
14. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Ahmed 'Abdullah Qudaih.
15. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and olives owned by Mahmoud Hussein al-Reqeb and farmed by Khalil Hamdan Ahmed al-Najjar.
At approximately 17:30, 6 Israeli heavy military vehicles, including two bulldozers, moved approximately 100m into al-Sha'er neighborhood adjacent to the border with Egypt, south of Rafah. They demolished two Palestinian houses:
1. A 300-square-meter house owned by Sarari Ahmed Daoud al-Sha'er, in which two families (10 people) lived; and
2. A 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Helmi Mansour al-Sha'er, in which 10 people lived.
Saturday, 3 May 2003
At approximately 00:45, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 200m into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. Immediately, they surrounded the houses of Fu'ad and Ziad Mousa Hussein al-Agha. They raided one of the houses and forced the 8 inhabitants out. They then forced one of the inhabitants to tell the two families (9 people) living in the other house, to vacate the premises. They used Fu'ad al-Agha, 50, as a human shield while searching the houses. Approximately an hour later, Israeli soldiers detained the residents in one room on the first floor of the first house. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at approximately 04:00.
At approximately 14:00, 6 Israeli heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, covered by intense gunfire, moved approximately 100m into al-Sha'er neighborhood in Rafah, adjacent to the border with Egypt. A Palestinian civilian, Mahmoud Yousef Hamdan Abu Sha'ar, 19, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian houses:
1. They totally demolished a 100-square-meter house owned by 'Abdul Khaliq Jaber al-Qotati, in which 8 people lived.
2. They totally demolished a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Marazeq Zannoun, in which 14 people lived.
3. They partially demolished a 145-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Sa'id Mansour al-Sha'er.
Sunday, 4 May 2003
At approximately 10:45, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and civilian facilities in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. Live bullets hit both Nasser Hospital, approximately 800m away and an UNRWA preparatory school, located approximately 600m away. A pupil at the school, Khalil Saif Ahmed Safi, 13, was injured by shrapnel in the face, while he was in his classroom. Also as a result of the one-hour gunfire, two Palestinian civilians were injured:
1. 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed al-Najjar, 20, injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left shoulder; and
2. 'Atiya Mohammed Abu Mukhaimar, 24, injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left shoulder.
At approximately 15:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into the eastern part of Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian school children and young men gathered and threw stones towards Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire at the stone throwers. Mohammed Zahi Majdi Hassan Hejazi, 14, was killed by a live bullet in the head. According to eyewitnesses, the child was fired at from a distance of approximately 15-20 meters. In addition, 7 were wounded:
1. Suleiman Lutfi Mahmoud Qatouni, 26, from al-'Ein refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand;
2. Rebhi Mohammed Hussein al-Zhaher, 52, from Yassid village, northwest of Nablus, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;
3. Mohammed Munir 'Abdullah Hannoun, 18, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the hips;
4. Khaled 'Omar Khader 'Abdu, 11, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by two live bullets in the thighs;
5. Mustafa Mohammed Nemer Dababka, 26, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the neck and shoulder;
6. Mohammed Khaled Mohammed Rida al-Khatib, 20, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by two live bullets in the left hand; and
7. Ibrahim Walid 'Ali Marahil, 12, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot.
Monday, 5 May 2003
At approximately 21:50, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Amal and al-Nimsawi neighborhoods. A Palestinian child, Mohammed Bassam 'Abdul 'Aziz Fayadh, 16, was seriously wounded by a live bullet, while he was walking approximately 500m away from the source of fire. A number of houses were also damaged.
Tuesday, 6 May 2003
At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. Apartment building number 1 in al-Nimsawi neighborhood was hit. Three flats were severely damaged:
1. A 107-square-meter flat owned by Akmal Ghaleb Musbah Abu Khadra, in which 6 people live;
2. A 107-square-meter flat owned by Hamed Khalil Hussein al-Ghamri, in which 8 people live; and
3. A 107-square-meter flat owned by 'Essam Mahmoud No'man Fayadh, in which 8 people live.
Wednesday, 7 May 2003
At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Batan al-Samin area. A Palestinian infant, 16-month-old 'Olayan Sa'ad 'Olayan al-Bashiti, was critically wounded by a live bullet in the head. About 4 hours later, he was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
According to his mother, he was wounded while he was with his brother, Wa'el, 3, and his cousins near their house, approximately 600m northeast of the aforementioned settlement. She evacuated him in a civilian car to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where he succumbed to his wound.
Shooting at Palestinian Civilians
Thursday, 1 May 2003
At approximately 12:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a number of military jeeps, moved into Beit Fouril village, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian school children and young men gathered and threw stones towards Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators, wounding 10, including 4 children:
1. Bassam Nemer Sedqi al-Haj Mohammed, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;
2. Munther Fahmi Salim Khatatba, 21, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;
3. 'Abada Hussam Ahmed Mulaitat, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis;
4. 'Alaa' Sultan 'Abdul Rahman Khatatba, 20, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand;
5. Adib Riad Yousef Hanani, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand;
6. Habash Hamdan Hussein Hanani, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;
7. 'Emad Ahmed Salem Hanani, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left shoulder;
8. Hamza Sameer Mohammed Hanani, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand;
9. Mahmoud Mohammed 'Ouda Ghalma, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back; and
10. Jasser Ayoub Mahmoud Hanani, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the jaw.
Friday, 2 May 2003
At approximately 15:30, a number of Israeli military jeeps raided Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. Soon, a number of Palestinian boys and young men gathered in alleys and threw stones towards the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, which are le