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 Israeli Human Rights Violations Continue in the OPTs
- 20 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including
8 children, a woman and an old man, killed by Israeli forces
- Israeli forces conducted a series of
incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling
- Israeli forces continued to use Palestinian
civilians as human shields
- The Israeli retaliatory campaign continues
against families of wanted Palestinians and those who allegedly have carried
out armed attacks against Israeli targets
- A number of Palestinians have been arrested
- The severe siege of the OPT has continued
Introduction
Israeli occupying forces have continued their illegal military actions against Palestinian civilians and their property, using various kinds of weapons. They have invaded Palestinian areas and destroyed private and public property, while they have maintained full control over many Palestinian areas in the West Bank for several weeks. The Israeli military 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, 20-26 February 2003, 20 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 8 children, were killed by Israeli forces.
On Sunday morning, 23 February 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with military bulldozers and helicopters and covered by intense shelling, invaded the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. As a result of this Israeli military operation which continued until Monday morning, 24 February 2003, 7 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 3 children, were killed.
Israeli forces shelled and moved into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip. They shelled these areas, demolished dozens of Palestinian houses and razed large areas of agricultural land. In Rafah, Israeli forces demolished 22 houses near the Egyptian border, south of the town. Also this week, Israeli forces indiscriminately shelled Palestinian residential areas in Khan Yunis.
In 3 cases of apparent willful killing, Israeli forces have shot dead 3 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In addition, two Palestinian children were killed and more than 10 other civilians were wounded by the Israeli shelling against Palestinian residential areas in Rafah and Khan Yunis.
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 6 Palestinian houses in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including 5 houses in Beit Hanoun.
The Israeli occupying forces have maintained a total siege on the OPT. They have isolated Palestinian communities from one another. They have partitioned the Gaza Strip into three separated zones and restricted the movement of people and goods. They have also maintained curfews on some areas in the West Bank. The Israeli decision to prevent Palestinians aged 16-35 from traveling has remained in effect.
The Shelling of and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
Israeli Offensive on the Old Town of Nablus
The Israeli occupying forces have sustained their incursion of the old town of Nablus since Wednesday, 19 February 2003.
On Thursday, 20 February 2003, Israeli soldiers in military bases, established on roofs of a number of houses, opened fire in all directions, killing two Palestinian civilians - a man and his grandson. According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 16:00, while Ahmed Mohammed Subhi Abu Zahra, 60, and his grandson, Ahmed Munir Ahmed Abu Zahra, 16, were on their way from their house at the eastern entrance of the old town to al-Yassamina area in the center of the town, Israeli soldiers fired at them from a distance of approximately 50m. The grandson was killed by 4 live bullets in the head and the chest, while his grandfather was critically wounded by 3 live bullets in the head and the chest. The grandfather was evacuated to hospital, but all efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead at approximately 18:00.
On Friday morning, 21 February 2003, a number of Palestinian boys gathered at al-Shuhada' square in the center of Nablus and threw stones at some Israeli soldiers. In response, the soldiers opened fire, wounding 12 passing civilians, including 5 children, with live and rubber-coated metal bullets.
On Saturday, 22 February 2003, the Israeli occupying forces continued their military operations in Nablus, including firing at passing Palestinian civilians. Two Palestinian civilians were killed and two others were wounded. According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 11:10, while Sami Murtada Mohammed Halawa, 43, was on his way to his shop in the Bab al-Saha area in the old town, Israeli soldiers shot him dead with a live bullet that entered the back and caused an intense hemorrhage in the intestines. At approximately 12:00, while Walid Majed Ahmed al-Masri, 22, was on his way to buy bread from a bakery located near his house, Israeli soldiers shot him dead with a live bullet in the heart. Two other civilians were wounded by the gunfire:
1. Nasser Samer Nasouh Ja'ara, 14, critically wounded by a live bullet in the head. He was later pronounced clinically dead, and on the following day, he passed away.
2. Mohammed Ussama Sa'id 'Ainabousi, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the left foot.
Israeli Offensive on the Northern Gaza Strip of Beit Hanoun
On Sunday morning, 23 February 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with military bulldozers and helicopters and covered by intense shelling, invaded the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. As a result of the military operation which continued until Monday morning, 24 February 2003, 7 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 3 children, were killed. In violation of international humanitarian law, Israeli forces destroyed 5 houses belonging to families of Palestinian activists who carried out attacks on Israeli targets. They also arrested 5 Palestinians, including Ahmed al-Khatib, a cameraman of the Reuters news agency.
According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 01:30 on Sunday, 23 February 2003, Israeli forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, moved from the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, and from the east and northeast of the town, and invaded Beit Hanoun.
An hour later, Israeli forces surrounded a house belonging to the family of Mosa'ab 'Abdullah al-Sabe' who was killed in an armed attack near the Erez crossing on Friday, 21 February 2003. Israeli soldiers ordered the family to leave the house. They did, but the owner remained the house and clashes broke out between him and the Israeli soldiers. At approximately 06:00, Israeli soldiers broke into the house, which is located in a densely populated area. The soldiers planted explosives in the house and destroyed it. The destiny of al-Sabe' remained unknown until Monday evening, when his body was found in the ruins of the house. Israeli forces also destroyed 3 other houses in the area owned by Ibrahim, Fa'eq and Mohammed al-Sabe'. During the invasion, Israeli soldiers seized a number of houses and used the residents as human shields.
In al-Amal neighborhood, known as al-Boura, in the east of Beit Hanoun, Israeli forces destroyed two houses owned by Yasser Zwaidi, allegedly wanted by the forces, and his son Ibrahim.
At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces positioned at the entrance of the town shelled residential areas and streets in the town. The Israeli shelling was focused on the area surrounding the Hammouda fuel station. Two Palestinians, a security man and a child, were killed by the Israeli shelling of the area. Another child was also killed by the Israeli shelling in another area in the town. The three victims were identified as:
1. Ahmed 'Eid Mohammed 'Afana, 17, from the Tal al-Za'tar area, shot by a live bullet in the thigh, which caused an intensive hemorrhage, while he was near the Hammouda fuel station. He died in hospital two hours after he had been wounded.
2. Mohammed Sarhan Hawila, 28, from Jabalya refugee camp, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force, shot by a live bullet in the abdomen, while he was near the Hammouda fuel station. He died in hospital 3 hours after he had been wounded.
3. Mohammed Ramadan al-Kahlout, 16, from Jabalya refugee camp, shot by a live bullet in the chest.
At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces, for no apparent reason, shot dead two Palestinians - a worker and a security man - after they had forced the two to take off their clothes. In his testimony to PCHR, an eyewitness said:
"At approximately 12:00, I went to Beit Hanoun to see what was going on. When I arrived at the entrance of the town, I saw a number of boys throwing stones at Israeli military vehicles in the area. I hid behind a car of the Reuters news agency. I could see 3 tanks chasing 4 members of the Palestinian National Security Force near the industrial zone north of the town. The tanks fired at the security men. A security man fell to the ground near a texture factory in the area. Soon, a Palestinian worker working in the industrial zone got out to check what happened. When he saw the wounded security man, he moved towards him to offer him help. Immediately, an Israeli soldier fired at the worker wounding him. Six Israeli soldiers got out of a tank and surrounded the wounded and fired at them from a close distance - less than 2m. Then, Israeli soldiers kicked and beat the two. They also took off the victims clothes and left the area. A Palestinian arrived and evacuated the two victims from the area."
The victims were identified as:
1. Ayman Abu Sharar, 32, from Al-Boreij refugee camp, a member of the Palestinian Border Police, shot by a live bullet in the head; and
2. Wa'el Mohammed al-Gharbawi, 31, from Jabalya, a worker a texture factory, shot by a live bullet in the neck.
In the afternoon, Baraa' Fayez al-'Afifi, 17, from Beit Hanoun, was critically wounded in the abdomen by a live bullet fired by Israeli soldiers, when he was near his house in al-Zaytoun area. He was evacuated to hospital, but he succumbed to his wound two hours later.
At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 24 February 2003, the body of 'Abdullah Mohammed Mahoud al-Sabe', 50, was found under the ruins of his house which was destroyed by Israeli forces after a 7-hour siege. His body was evacuated to hospital. He had received several live bullets throughout the body, which was also distorted by the falling of ruins.
During their invasion of the town, Israeli forces broke into a two-storey house, in which 6 people live, owned by Jamal Mahmoud Hassan al-Kafarna, in the northwest of the town. Israeli soldiers held the family for 28 hours in one room without food, while they seized the house and transformed it into a military location, from which they fired at surrounding areas.
Following are details of the houses that were destroyed by Israeli forces in Beit Hanoun:
1. A 180-square-meter house, in which 9 people lived, owned by 'Abdullah Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sabe', father of Mosa'ab al-Sabe' who was killed in an armed attack near the Erez crossing on Friday, 21 February 2003;
2. A 170-square-meter, 3-storey house, in which 3 families counting 20 people lived, owned by Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed al-Sabe';
3. A 170-square-meter, two-storey house, in which 7 people lived, owned by Yahaia Khaled al-Hamdin, who is allegedly wanted by the Israeli forces;
4. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 7 people lived, owned by Yasser Ahmed Hussein al-Zwaidi, whose son Ahmed allegedly is wanted by the Israeli forces; and
5. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 9 people lived, owned by Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein al-Zwaidi, who allegedly is wanted by Israeli forces.
Two neighboring houses were severely damaged:
1. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 people live, owned by Fa'eq Ahmed Mahmoud al-Sabe'; and
2. A 145-square-meter, newly-built and uninhabited house owned by Sa'ad Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sabe'.
Israeli forces also arrested 5 Palestinians:
1. Ahmed al-Khatib, a cameraman of the Reuters news agency, arrested while covering the invasion;
2. Mowaffaq Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Harbid, 27, a policeman;
3. 'Emad Mohammed 'Abdullah al-'Athamna, 33, a policeman;
4. Mujahed 'Abdullah Mahmoud al-Sabe', 18, whose family's house was destroyed; and
5. 'Ammar Bassam 'Ali al-Masri, 22, who was released at night.
The Israeli forces also razed the following areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. A 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mahmoud Tawfiq Hamad; and
2. A 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mahmoud Ibrahim Tawfiq.
Thursday, 20 February 2003
At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 70m into Khan Yunis refugee camp. Immediately, an Israeli military bulldozer demolished most of a 140-square-meter, two-storey house, in which two families counting 20 people lived, owned by 'Adnan and Salem 'Ali Salem Abu 'Obaida. On 24 February 2003, Israeli forces destroyed the remainders of the house. The bulldozer also partially demolished a 120-square-meter, 5-storey house, in which 4 families counting 25 people live and put piles of ruins at its door. It also poured piles of ruins into a 108-square-meter, 3-storey house, in which 3 families counting 17 people live, owned by heirs of 'Ali Hassan Abu Zaid. The house was partially demolished by Israeli forces last month.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense gunfire, moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They surrounded the club area and raided a number of houses, claiming to be searching for allegedly wanted Palestinians. A number of Palestinian gunmen took positions on a road to confront the Israeli forces, but they were surprised by an Israeli undercover unit, which opened fire at them before they were able to fire a single bullet. A gunman, Mohammed 'Aaref Yousef 'Awni, 24, was killed by several live bullets and shrapnel in the head, the neck and the chest.
At approximately 15:45, Israeli occupying forces at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. A Palestinian civilian, Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Saiqali, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh, while near his house in Kherbat al-'Adas area, approximately 1500m away from the border.
Saturday, 22 February 2003
At approximately 14:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. In another attack against religious sites, the bulldozers demolished the Salah al-Din Mosque, which had been partially destroyed last year. It also demolished 6 Palestinian houses:
1. A 300-square-meter house, in which two families counting 11 people lived, owned by Talal 'Ali 'Abdul 'Aziz Yousef;
2. A 204-square-meter house, in which 3 families counting 22 people lived, owned by Fathi Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Zuhri;
3. A 220-square-meter house, in which two families counting 8 people lived, owned by Sufian Isma'il 'Abdullah al-Hams;
4. A 300-square-meter house, in which 7 people lived, owned by Munir 'Abdul Salam 'Abdul Rahman Hassouna;
5. A 300-square-meter house, in which 11 people lived, owned by 'Ali Khaled Hassouna; and
6. A 90-square-meter house that served as a summer resort owned by Aamena Mohammed Ahmed al-Mudallal.
Sunday, 23 February 2003
At approximately 15:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 800m into 'Oraiba area northwest of Rafah. They forced the 100 residents of the area out of their houses and gathered them near barbwires, surrounding the "Gush Qatif" settlement block, until 18:30. Then, Israeli forces demolished two Palestinian houses and razed areas of agricultural land:
1. They partially demolished a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 people lived, owned by 'Abdul Shafi Salman Ibrahim 'Abdul 'Aal.
2. They partially demolished a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 18 people lived, owned by 'Atwa Ahmed Daoud 'Abdul 'Aal.
3. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Salem Ghanem Salem al-Hashash.
4. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Ahmed 'Eid 'Ayad al-Hashash.
5. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Nasser 'Ayad Yahia al-Hashash.
6. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by 'Atwa Mohammed 'Atwa al-Hashash.
7. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with potatoes owned by Kamel Farid Salama al-Hashash.
8. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by 'Abdul Shafi Salman 'Abdul 'Aal.
9. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by Mahmoud Ibrahim 'Abdul 'Aal.
10. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by Tawfiq Mahmoud 'Abdul 'Aal.
11. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Nasser Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal.
12. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by 'Oudetallah Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal.
13. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by 'Atiya Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal.
14. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by 'Ali Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal.
15. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by 'Awadh Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal.
16. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Ahmed Daoud 'Abdul 'Aal.
17. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by Daoud Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal.
In the afternoon, Israeli occupying forces shelled Palestinian residential areas in Khan Yunis, killing a Palestinian child and wounding a young man. In his testimony to PCHR, one of the child's friends said:
"At approximately 16:00, I was with some friends, including Mahmoud Mohammed 'Ouda Abu Zaher, 16, in al-Sabra playground west of al-Nimsawi neighborhood, approximately 700m north of a military location in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis. While we were playing, we saw 3 Israeli soldiers getting up on concrete blocks surrounding the military location. They opened fire at the area. A few minutes later, live bullets began to be directed towards the playground. We tried to hide behind walls, but the Israeli soldiers continued to fire at us. We changed our clothes. Mahmoud went to look for his shoes. Soon, I heard the sound of a live bullet coming from the Israeli military location. I saw Mahmoud putting his hand on his chest and running east. Then, he cried and fell onto the ground. I ran to him. He was bleeding from the chest and the back. I was shocked. I cried and called on the young men who were in the area. They evacuated him to Nasser Hospital. They told me later that he passed away."
According to medical sources at Nasser Hospital, Mahmoud was shot by a live bullet that entered the chest and exited the back. In addition, two other civilians were wounded:
1. 'Alaa' Ayman Shihda Abu Rezeq, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot while near his house; and
2. Mahmoud Salim al-Madhoun, 45, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder.
Monday, 24 February 2003
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 70m into Khan Yunis refugee camp. Immediately, the bulldozer leveled the piles of sands the Israeli forces had put there the previous days. They raided the house of 'Adnan and Salem 'Ali Salem Abu 'Obaida which was mostly destroyed by Israeli forces in a raid on 20 February 2003. They planted explosives in the remains of the house and destroyed it. Israeli forces also raided a 120-square-meter, 3-storey uninhabited house owned by 'Aadel 'Ali Salem Abu 'Obaida. They planted explosives in the house and destroyed it. A number of neighboring houses and the electricity and telephone supplies were damaged.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Suleiman Abu Sahloul, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Daekalim" and "Gadid" settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at the cemetery area and al-Nimsawi and Baten al-Samin neighborhoods. A Palestinian child, 'Othman 'Abdul 'Azhim al-Lahham, 11, was wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder, while playing near his family's house in Baten al-Samin neighborhood.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 100m into al-Sha'er neighborhood near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. During the 7-hour incursion, Israeli forces demolished 4 houses totally, one house partially and two bird farms:
1. They totally demolished a 130-square-meter, two-storey house, in which two families counting 22 people lived, owned by Ibrahim 'Ouda Mohammed Abu Shatat.
2. They totally demolished 250-square-meter house, in which 5 people lived, owned by 'Omar Salama Mohammed al-Sha'er.
3. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter house, in which 8 people lived, owned by Zakiya Ibrahim Mousa al-Mo'ashar.
4. They totally demolished a 210-square-meter house, in which 3 families counting 22 people lived, and a 250-square-meter bird farm over its 500 birds owned by Hakema Ibrahim Mohammed al-Sha'er.
5. They partially demolished a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which one person lives, owned by Jundiya Mohammed 'Abdul Hadi Qeshta.
6. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted olives, lemons and palms and demolished a 100-square-meter bird farm owned by Mohammed Hassan Mohammed al-Sha'er.
The Israeli forces claimed to be searching for underground tunnels.
Tuesday, 25 February 2003
At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. An artillery shell hit the living room of a 90-square-meter, tin-roofed house, in which two families counting 10 people live, owned by Miriam 'Ali Ahmed Abu Sahloul. The house is located approximately 200m away from the settlement. Seven residents of the house were having breakfast in the living room. Six of them, including 3 women and a child, were wounded:
1. Miriam 'Ali Ahmed Abu Sahloul, 50, wounded by shrapnel in the back;
2. Kaida 'Ali Ahmed Abu Sahloul, 48, wounded by shrapnel in the back;
3. 'Aa'esha Suleiman Salem Abu Sahloul, 31, wounded by shrapnel in the thigh and shoulder;
4. Fatema Muhareb 'Ali Abu Sahloul, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the neck;
5. Hiba Muhareb 'Ali Abu Sahloul, 13, wounded by shrapnel in the chest and the right foot; and
6. Mohammed Suleiman 'Ali Abu Sahloul, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand.
Three other Palestinian civilians were wounded by the Israeli shelling:
1. Yassamin Mohammed al-'Aa'raj, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the left arm;
2. Samira Mahmoud Hassan Abu Daoud, 36, wounded by shrapnel in the back; and
3. Hussein Ragheb Safi, 56, wounded by shrapnel in the back.
In the morning, medical sources at Rafidya Hospital in Nablus declared that 'Alaa' Jawdat Abu Sharekh, 25, from Nablus, succumbed to a wound he sustained on Sunday, 16 February 2003. According to information available to PCHR, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with armored personnel carriers, surrounded the al-Anwar commercial compound in Sufian Street in the center of Nablus, which includes the office of Tayseer Khaled. Khaled is a member of the Executive Committee of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and member of the Political Bureau of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The Israeli army came to arrest him. A number of Palestinian boys and young men gathered near the building and threw stones at the Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire, killing 3 passing Palestinian civilians and wounding 18 others, including Abu Sharekh, who was wounded by a live bullet in the head. He remained in hospital until he passed away.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 100m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Kamal Mohammed Salama al-Sha'er.
2. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Kha