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
The International Community Remains
Silent While the Israeli Human Rights Violations Continue in the OPTs
- 4 Palestinians, including 3 civilians,
one of whom was a child, were killed by Israeli forces
- Israeli forces conducted a series of
incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling
- Large areas of Palestinian agricultural
land in the Gaza Strip was razed
- The Israeli retaliatory campaign continues
still against families of wanted Palestinians and those who carried out
armed attacks against Israeli targets
- A number of Palestinians have been arrested
- The strict siege of the OPT has continued and a number of Palestinians were arrested at Israeli military checkpoints
Introduction
Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more illegal actions and human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including willful killings, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions, and agricultural land leveling. This week, from 16-22 January 2003, 3 Palestinians, including 2 civilians, were killed by Israeli forces.
This week, Israeli occupying forces moved into several areas in the Gaza Strip. They razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a number of houses and civilian facilities. They razed more than 150 donums of Palestinian agricultural land, most of which was planted with olives. They also demolished 6 Palestinian houses totally in Rafah and Beit Lahia, and partially demolished 9 others in Rafah.
In the West Bank, in the context of their policies of destroying Palestinian economic and civilian facilities, on Tuesday and Wednesday, 21 and 22 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces demolished 62 Palestinian shops in Nazlat 'Eissa village in Tulkarm, which provided sources of living for dozens of Palestinian families.
In an apparent willful killing, on Saturday afternoon, 18 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Rafah, while he was on the roof of his house. 'Abdul Fattah 'Orabi Hassan Mansour, 35, from Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, was on the roof of his house repairing its water tanks, which were damaged by repeated gunfire by Israeli forces at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. As soon as Israeli soldiers on a military observation tower, at the iron wall recently established along the border opposite to Rafah refugee camp, saw him they shot him dead with a live bullet in the back from a distance of approximately 150m. 3 other Palestinians, including a child, died from previous injuries they sustained by Israeli occupying forces in the current Intifada.
In violation of international law and 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 the Israeli forces. In this context, they destroyed 5 houses in Hebron, Jenin and Bethlehem.
This week, Israeli settlers from settlements in Hebron attacked Palestinian civilians and their property, especially in the old town, the center of the town and Wadi al-Baqa'a and al-Bweira neighborhoods. These attacks took place before the eyes of Israeli forces and police. Six Palestinian civilians were wounded, including two who were in serious condition, windows and doors of 25 houses were destroyed, more than 10 cars were destroyed or damaged and areas of agricultural land and water sources were damaged.
Israeli forces have maintained the total siege imposed on the OPTs, 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. This week, Israeli occupying authorities continued to prevent Palestinians aged 16-35 from traveling abroad.
The Shelling of and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
Thursday, 16 January 2003
At approximately 01:00, more than 15 Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 200m into Khaled Ben al-Walid Street near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. During this incursion that continued until 06:00, Israeli occupying forces totally demolished 4 Palestinian houses. PCHR's fieldworker in Rafah reported that a number of Israeli soldiers with blackened faces and accompanied by dogs, raided 9 other houses. They broke down doors, made holes in walls, searched them and held residents of each house in one room. These houses were damaged. The electricity and telephone supplies of the area were also damaged. Upon their withdrawal from the area, Israeli forces left a statement written in Arabic and signed by the Israeli military command that tried to justify Israeli military operations and warned the Palestinian population of providing assistance to Palestinian "terrorists."
Following area details of the houses that were totally demolished:1
1. A 140-square-meter house, in which 10 people lived, owned by Hammad Mohammed 'Othman al-Sha'er;
2. A 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 people lived, owned by 'Abed Ahmed Hassan al-Sha'er;
3. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 people lived, owned by 'Essam Mohammed Mallahi al-Sha'er; and
4. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 9 people lived, owned by Fu'ad Mohammed Mallahi al-Sha'er.
At approximately 07:00, 2 tanks and a military bulldozer of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 600m into al-Birka area in the southwest of Deir al-Balah. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with Barley owned by Yousef Nassar Abu 'Erra.
2. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with Barley owned by Hammad Salem al-Sawarka.
At approximately 09:30, a tank and a bulldozer of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 400m north of greenhouses of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They destroyed a branch road leading to Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, by digging a hole in the road and then erecting a sand barrier.
Friday, 17 January 2003
At approximately 12:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 800m into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. Israeli soldiers were deployed in branch roads and agricultural areas. They wrote numbers on a number of houses and a park of the municipality. Then, an Israeli military bulldozer dug a trench cutting the road linking al-Qarara village and al-Ma'arri elementary school, approximately 600m south of an Israeli military location near the village. The Israeli forces also demolished a number of Palestinian civilian facilities and razed areas of agricultural land:
1. They demolished two rooms that stood on a 30-square-meter area and destroyed agricultural equipment and an irrigation network owned by 'Abdul Rahim Mousa al-Astal.
2. They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Marzouq Radhi Suleiman Baraka.
3. They razed a 1000-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed Salman al-Sumairi.
During this incursion, Israeli forces handcuffed 22-year-old Ahmed 'Abdul Latif al-Sumairi and forces him to get on a military jeep after they had checked his identity card. They released him later. PCHR's fieldworker in the central Gaza Strip reported that, upon their withdrawal, the Israeli forces left a statement signed by the Israeli military command in the Gaza Strip that warned off the residents of the area from cooperating with Palestinian "terrorists", otherwise they would lose any hope of life and a secure living.
At approximately 15:00, 10 Israeli soldiers moved on foot 100m into Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah. They erected a military roadblock at the northern entrance of the village. Israeli soldiers checked identity cards of passing Palestinian villagers and arrested 6 of them. The detainees were taken to the greenhouses of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They were released at 22:00.
Saturday, 18 January 2003
At approximately 10:30, Israeli occupying forces at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block L in Rafah refugee camp. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded by the Israeli gunfire that continued until 12:00:
1. Fadi Jihad Suleiman, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and
2. Hassan Saleh Abu Jazar, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left arm.
PCHR's fieldworker in Rafah reported that the two were wounded while they were near their houses.
At approximately 11:45, an infantry unit and a tank of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 600m into 'Aabdin neighborhood in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. They raided uninhabited house owned by 'Abdul Karim 'Aabdin. They also ordered 'Abed Salim 'Aabdin to tell residents of the area not to leave their houses after 18:00 everyday and that their houses would be demolished if Israeli soldiers were fired at by Palestinian gunmen in the area.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 250m into Palestinian areas located northwest of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. Immediately, Israeli military bulldozers razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a number of civilian facilities:
1. They razed a 20-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms and a 12-donum area of agricultural land, on which greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed a 2-donum cow farm, a 1-donum agricultural nursery, 2 100-square-meter stores, 2 agricultural pools, large amounts of moveable soils and an irrigation network, all owned by Mohammed 'Ouda Abu Samra.
2. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, demolished a 180-meter-long fence and a 12-square-meter, asbestos-roofed room, and destroyed an agricultural pool, 10 beehives, an irrigation network and other agricultural equipment, all owned by 'Oraif 'Ouda 'Oriaf Abu Munifi.
3. They demolished a 100-meter-long fence surrounding a fuel station and destroyed 4 empty fuel tanks owned by Fu'ad Mohammed Hamed 'Akkila.
4. They destroyed a well and an agricultural pool owned by Fathallah 'Ouda 'Oriaf Abu Munifi.
5. They demolished a 12-square-meter, asbestos-roofed room and destroyed an agricultural pool owned by Ahmed 'Ouda 'Oraif Abu Munifi.
PCHR's fieldworker in the central Gaza Strip reported that the Israeli forces piled up rubble from there demolitions on Abu 'Oraif Street near the affected area, restricting the movement of people.
Sunday, 19 January 2003
At approximately 08:30, an Israeli tank moved approximately 700m into Palestinian agricultural land in the north of Beit Lahia. Israeli soldiers on the tank arrested Ahmed Mohammed al-Da'our, 25, from Beit Lahia, while he was farming his land. The tank took him to Erez area in the north of the Gaza Strip, where he was interrogated by Israeli soldiers about the reason of his presence in the area. He was released at approximately 17:00.
At approximately 09:00, 4 tanks and a military bulldozer of Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Sayafa area in the north of Beit Lahia. Israeli soldiers raided a 400-square-meter, iron-roofed house, in which 7 people live, owned by Younis 'Awadhallah Abu Khousa. They ordered the owner to evacuate the house because it was to be demolished, and withdrew from the area. At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces came to the area again and demolished the house.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into streets and neighborhoods of Nablus to impose a curfew. They opened fire indiscriminately to force Palestinian civilians to stay at homes. Seven Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Sirri 'Aayed 'Ouda, 16, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the head;
2. Muhannad Ibrahim Daoud, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand;
3. Mohammed Mahanna Sadiq, 26, wounded by a live bullet in the head;
4. Mohammed Hisham Mohammed, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the leg;
5. Asa'ad Naji al-Bahash, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;
6. 'Essam 'Ayad 'Abdullah, 26, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand; and
7. Zakaria 'Abdullah Ahmed Muhsen, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen.
Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on Hebron. They opened fire indiscriminately to force Palestinian civilians to stay at homes. Seven Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Lu'ai 'Abdul Salam Abu Haikal, 26, a cameraman of Reuters news agency, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg while filming the incidents;
2. Hanadai Mohammed al-Natsha, 20, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left thigh;
3. Mohammed 'Abdul Qader 'Amru, 23, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg;
4. Ahmed 'Ali al-Hallaq, 48, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right thigh;
5. Yaqin Shahin al-Ja'bari, 65, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest;
6. Hatem 'Adnan Salah, 32, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and
7. Yusra Fazzaa' Hassan al-Ja'bari, 27, was wounded in the foot; she was arrested by Israeli forces, who claimed that she attempted to stab a soldier.
At approximately 16:30, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Kamal Mustafa Abu Sa'id, 17, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand. PCHR's fieldworker in Khan Yunis reported that Abu Sa'id was wounded while he was near his house, approximately 400m away from the source of fire.
At approximately 19:30, medical sources at al-Maqassed Hospital in Jerusalem declared that 'Ammar Mohammed Ahmed 'Oleyan, 26, from Khan Yunis, succumbed to a wound he sustained while resisting Israeli occupying forces that invaded the town on 11 January 2003. 'Oleyan, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck. He was evacuated to Shifa' Hospital in Gaza city and from there, he was transferred to al-Maqassed Hospital in Jerusalem, but all efforts made to save his life failed. It is worth mentioning that the Israeli invasion of Khan Yunis on 11 January 2003 had left dead a number of Palestinians, while 14 Palestinians, including 'Oleyan, were wounded and dozens of Palestinian civilians facilities and houses were destroyed.
Monday, 20 January 2003
At approximately 06:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 600m into the east of al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. This Israeli incursion continued until approximately 18:00, during which Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian civilians and razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed 'Ali Shihda al-'Eimawi.
2. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and beans and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed 'Ali Shihda al-'Eimawi.
3. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hamattu 'Ali Shihda al-'Eimawi.
4. They razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Talal Ibrahim Shihda al-'Eimawi.
5. They razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Sami Ibrahim Shihda al-'Eimawi.
6. They razed a 12-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Samia, Sabah, Hiam, Shifa, Tahani and Yassmin Ibrahim Shihda al-'Eimawi.
7. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed Shehada 'Ouda al-'Eimawi.
8. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by 'Ayash Shehada 'Ouda al-'Eimawi.
9. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mousa Shehada 'Ouda al-'Eimawi.
10. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Talal Shehada 'Ouda al-'Eimawi.
11. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Salama 'Atwa Salama al-'Eimawi.
12. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Salem Musallam Wadhah Abu Zhaher.
13. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hadba and Nasra Shehada 'Ouda al-'Eimawi.
14. They razed a 7-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by heirs of Mahmoud Salim Abu 'Eid.
At approximately 14:15, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 450m into the north of Beit Lahia. An Israeli military bulldozer demolished a 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 people lived, and destroyed a well both owned by Mohammed Fu'ad Mustafa Zindah. PCHR's fieldworker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that the family had already left the house because it had been regularly fired at by Israeli forces.
At approximately 23:00, Israeli tanks in the vicinity of Israeli settlements in the west of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Canada neighborhood. A Palestinian woman, Zahira Samir Abu al-'Einain, 35, was wounded by a live bullet in the right arm. PCHR's fieldworker in Rafah reported that the woman was wounded while she was inside her house, approximately 350m away from the Israeli tanks.
Tuesday, 21 January 2003
At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by officers of the Israeli General Security Service and undercover units, moved into al-Jinan neighborhood in the west of al-Bireh. They surrounded an apartment building to arrest Falah Taher Nada, 45, who live in a flat on the second floor. They raided and searched the flat. They held the 8 residents of the flat in one room. Then, officers of the Israeli General Security Service arrested Nada's wife, Mudallala Mohammed Bajes Nada, 42. Israeli forces also raided a neighboring flat and arrested Isma'il Mohammed Abu Khadija, 47, and confiscated two mobile phones. After having arrested him, Israeli forces closed the doors of the flat, while its 7 residents were inside. Neighbors broke the doors at approximately 04:30.
At approximately 15:30, medical sources at Dr. Khalil Suleiman in Jenin declared that Mahmoud 'Aamer Mohammed Turkman, 20, from Jenin refugee camp, succumbed to a wound he sustained in March 2002.
According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 14:00 on 4 March 2002, Dr. Khalil Mahmoud Suleiman, age 58, head of Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Ambulance Station in Jenin was killed when the ambulance he was riding in while evacuating an injured young girl in the Jenin refugee camp was directly hit by Israeli shells and gunfire. Four Palestinian civilians were wounded, including Turkman who was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the back. He was transferred to hospitals in Jordan and Iraq. One week ago, he was returned to his home in the West Bank completely paralyzed. At approximately 12:00 on Tuesday, his health condition deteriorated. He was moved to hospital, but all efforts made to save his life failed.
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 out attacks against Israeli targets in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and those wanted by Israeli forces.
At approximately 03:25 on Thursday, 16 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem, which is under Palestinian security control. They surrounded the house of Khalil Taqatqa. They forced the 12 residents of the 120-square-meter house out and destroyed it. Taqatqa is father of 'Andalib Taqatqa who carried out a bombing inside a supermarket in West Jerusalem in April 2002.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin, which is under full Palestinian control. They surrounded the house of Mohammed Saleh Mousa Ekmayel. They forced out the 16 residents of the 120-square-meter house and an adjacent 120-square-meter house, in which 10 people lived, owned by Najeh Ekmayel. Then, they destroyed the two houses. Ekmayel is the father of Saleh Ekmayel, 23, who was killed in an armed clash with Israeli occupying forces in the northern Jordan Valley in March 2002.
At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 20 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Wadi al-Karem neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They surrounded the house of Mohammed Yusri al-Shweiki, 52. They forced the 14 residents of the 360-square-meter, 2-story house out and destroyed it. Al-Shweiki's son, Tayseer, 22, has been detained by Israeli forces for 1 year for his resistance activities, while he himself and his other son, 'Omran, 19, has been detained for more than 2 months on the ground of the first son's detention.
At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 21 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Dura village, west of Hebron. They surrounded the house of 'Eissa Salem Isma'il al-Darabi', 28, whose has been detained by Israeli forces for 14 months. They forced the 5 residents of the 150-square-meter house out and destroyed it. Recently, al-Darabai' was sentenced to life imprisonment after having been convicted of being a member of Fatah movement, killing an Israeli soldier of an undercover unit and attacking the convoy of the Israeli former chief of staff Shaul Mofaz. Al-Darabai' is an officer of the Palestinian Presidential Guard.
At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 22 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with tanks, armored personnel carriers and military bulldozers, moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They surrounded the house of Fathi Mohammed Mahmoud al-Najjar, 38, who was arrested by these forces 3 months ago for his resistance activities. They forced the 12 residents of the 250-square-meter house out and demolished it. They also demolished the fence of a house owned by Eyad 'Aayed al-Najjar and the fence of the cemetery of the village.
Shooting at Palestinian Civilians
In an apparent willful killing, on Saturday afternoon, 18 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Rafah, while he was on the roof of his house. According to PCHR's investigation and eyewitnesses' testimonies, at approximately 14:15 on the aforementioned day, 'Abdul Fattah 'Orabi Hassan Mansour, 35, from Block O in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, got onto the roof of his house to repair its water tanks, which were damaged by repeated gunfire by Israeli occupying forces at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. As soon as Israeli soldiers on a military observation tower at the iron wall recently established along the border opposite to Rafah refugee camp saw him, they fired a live bullet at him from a distance of approximately 150m, wounding him in the back. His children called for help. Immediately, his neighbors evacuated him to hospital, but all efforts made to save his life failed. According to medical sources, Mansour was shot by a live bullet that entered the back and exited the chest causing an acute hemorrhage. PCHR's fieldworker in Rafah reported that Israeli forces established 3 military observation points along the newly established iron wall. These points are circular, iron objects that contain one soldier.
On Wednesday evening, 22 January 2003, medical sources at Rafidya Hospital in Nablus declared that Ahmed Anwar Saqer, 15, from 'Askar refugee camp, east of the city, succumbed to a wound he sustained on 11 January 2003. Saqer was wounded by a heavy caliber bullet that entered the pelvis and settled in the abdomen, when Israeli soldiers fired at a number of Palestinian children who demonstrated near the refugee camp.
Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property in Hebron
An armed attack carried out by armed Palestinians on Friday evening, 17 January 2003, against "Kharsina" settlement, east of Hebron, left dead an Israeli soldier and injured 3 settlers. In response, the settlers of "Kiryat Arba'" and "Kharsina" settlements, east of Hebron, and settlements inside the city, attacked Palestinian civilians and their property, especially in the old town, the center of the town and Wadi al-Baqa'a and al-Bweira neighborhoods. These attacks took place before the eyes of Israeli forces and police. Six Palestinian civilians were wounded, including two who were in serious condition, windows and doors of 25 houses were destroyed, more than 10 cars were destroyed or damaged and areas of agricultural land and water sources were damaged.
According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 22:30 on Friday, 17 January 2003, armed Israeli settlers of the so-called "Settlement Guards" attacked the house and families of Mohammed Badawi Jaber, 39, and his brother Samih, 35, in Wadi al-Baqa'a neighborhood in the east of Hebron. The families were extremely frightened and 3 of them were injured, one of them was in serious condition.
Also in the evening, Israeli settlers of "Kharsina" settlement launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in al-Bweira neighborhood in the east of Hebron. Zuhdi Wahbi Sultan, 70, stated that at approximately 21:00 on Friday, 17 January 2003, he heard sounds of the falling of the water tanks and the satellite reception dish falling. Then, the door of the house was violently knocked. He opened it, and immediately 3 settlers broke into the house and violently beat him, especially on the head. He lost conscious for 3 hours. Throughout the following 2 days, the house was subjected to attacks, so Sultan an