Zionist Occupying Forces Continue to Perpetrate Violations of Human Rights in the OPTs

Palestinian center for human rights (P.C.H.R) 

*  10 Palestinians, including 3 children, killed by Israeli forces

*  Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

*  Israeli forces moved into Rafah refugee camp, killed 8 Palestinians and destroyed 170 houses

* Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya and Tulkarm and imposed a curfew

*  Continued arbitrary arrests and detentions

*  More areas of agricultural land were razed in the Gaza Strip

*  Indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued

* A house in Nablus was destroyed by Israeli forces as part of the continued campaign of retaliation against the families of Palestinians accused of involvement in attacks against Israeli targets

*  Israeli forces ordered the transfer of 18 Palestinians from the West Bank to the     Gaza Strip

*  Continued siege on the OPTs

*  Continued construction of the “separation wall”

Introduction

This week, Israeli occupying forces have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTa), including extra-judicial and willful killings, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions, land leveling, unlawful transfers, and arbitrary arrests and detentions.  They have also imposed a comprehensive siege on the OPT.  This week, 10 Palestinians, including 3 children, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

 On Friday morning, 10 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces conducted a large scale incursion into the Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip. Under cover of intense shelling and gunfire from tanks and helicopters, Israeli forces invaded the area which is one of the most densely populated in the Gaza Strip.  During this incursion, which lasted for two days, 8 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 3 children, were killed and 56 others were wounded, including 20 seriously. Israeli occupying forces destroyed 170 Palestinian houses, a number of civilian facilities and civilian infrastructure in the area.  More than 2000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been rendered homeless.  This number is added to hundreds of families whose homes were destroyed in the same area by Israeli occupying forces in previous incursions. 

 Two days after they had withdrawn from Rafah refugee camp, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Brazil and al-Salam neighborhoods in Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border.  At time of writing, one Palestinian has been killed and 10 others, including 6 children, have been wounded by Israeli shelling.  Israeli forces also arrested 3 Palestinians, demolished a number of houses and razed areas of agricultural land.  They have also damaged the infrastructure in the two neighborhoods.

 In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qalqilya and Tulkarm.  They also moved into Nablus and arrested a number of Palestinians.  Israeli forces have continued to impose a curfew on Jenin and its refugee camp for the 11^th consecutive day (see PCHR's press release issued on 11 October 2003), on Qalqilya for the 5^th consecutive day, on parts of Hebron for the 4^th consecutive day and on Tulkarm and its refugee camp for the 2^nd day. 

 On 15 October 2003, in an apparent willful killing, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Tulkarm.  They claimed that he did not obey orders to stop.  Israeli soldiers did not offer him any medical assistance and delayed access for an ambulance for about an hour, during which time he died. 

Further confirming Israel as "a state above law," the United States used its veto on Wednesday, 15 October 2003, to oppose a UN Security Council resolution that calls upon Israel to stop construction of the "separation wall."  The United States was the only state that rejected the resolution.  Four other states; Bulgaria, Cameron, Germany and the United Kingdom; abstained.  The resolution stated that the construction of a fence inside the OPTs is illegal and violates international law.  The resolution further called for the immediate cessation of construction.  The resolution further stated that "the UN Security Council rejects the settlement activities in the OPTs and any confiscation of land that may affect sources of income."  PCHR is concerned that this the US veto serves to encourage Israel to perpetrate further violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including war crimes, in the OPTs. 

 In addition to restrictions imposed by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians as a result of the construction of the "separation wall" in the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have maintained a total siege on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.  Israeli occupying forces imposed a total internal and external closure on the Gaza Strip from early morning on Sunday, 5 October 2003.  All main internal roads were closed, segregating the Gaza Strip into 4 isolated zones.  In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have declared some areas closed military zones. 

 This week, there were a series of attacks on medical personnel and facilities by the Israeli occupying forces and restrictions on movement of ambulances.

 In violation of the prohibition on collective punishment, Israeli forces continued to take retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians they allege were involved in attacks against Israeli targets.  In this context, they destroyed a Palestinian house in Nablus.

 On Tuesday, 14 October 2003, Major General Moshe Kaplinsky, GOC of the Central Command of the Israeli Occupying Forces, issued a military order transferring 15 Palestinians, who were being held in administrative detention, from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip.  On Wednesday morning, 14 October 2003, Israeli Occupying Forces transported a further three Palestinian detainees to the Erez military compound under a similar procedure.  All 18 are currently detained in Erez pending an appeal against the transfer order.

 Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

 Thursday, 9 October 2003

At approximately 02:00, an Israeli military force of 3 armored personnel carriers and 7 military jeeps moved into 'Eing Beit al-Maa' refugee camp and imposed a curfew.  Soon after, they raided and searched a number of houses under the pretext of searching for allegedly wanted Palestinians.  At approximately 07:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered at the western entrance to the camp and threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire at the children, wounding 4:

1.     Fadi Ahmed Jamal Quraini, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen;

2.     Ahmed Salama 'Abdul Fattah Kafouf, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg;

3.     Yasar Bassam Hamdan, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg; and

4.     Fateh 'Omar Mohammed Ashqar, 14, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left leg. 

 At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 400m into 'Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah.  They demolished an 80-square-meter house owned by Mahmoud Ahmed Mohammed Dahliz and also leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land, which they had already razed. 

 At approximately 20:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps and a military bulldozer moved from a military location at the entrance to Surra village, southwest of Nablus, into the village.  They blocked a dirt road linking between the village and Til village.  As the Israeli forces withdrew from the village, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones towards the vehicles. Israeli soldiers immediately fired at the stone throwers, wounding 2:

 1.     Hassan 'Abdul Halim 'Abdul Qader Turabi, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and

2.     Khader Fathi Hafez Turabi, 22, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the mouth. 

Friday, 10 October 2003

Israeli Military Operation in Rafah

Early in the morning, Israeli occupying forces conducted a large scale incursion into the Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip. Under cover of intense shelling and gunfire from tanks and helicopters, Israeli forces invaded the area, one of the most densely populated in the Gaza Strip.  During the 2-day incursion, 8 Palestinians were killed, including 3 children, and 53 were wounded; 20 seriously. Women, children and elderly people were among the casualties. In an unprecedented escalation of the destruction of civilian property, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 170 Palestinian houses, a number of civilian facilities and aspects of the civilian infrastructure in the area. The incursion left more than 2000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, homeless, adding to the hundreds of families that have been made homeless in similar operations in Rafah throughout the current Intifada. 

 This latest attack is part of a wider strategy which has already resulted in the destruction of hundreds of houses adjacent to the Egyptian border, justified by Israeli authorities for ‘security’ reasons. However, the facts on the ground prove that these demolitions are part of a strategic policy to clear a large area of Palestinian land near the border with Egypt to facilitate a wide buffer zone to increase Israeli military control in the area. Israeli forces plan to establish a 120m-wide highway (referred to as Philadelphia Road), linking the Negev Desert (inside the Green Line) and Israeli settlements built on the Gaza coastline to the west of Rafah.  Israeli forces have also begun the construction of a concrete and metal wall parallel to the border with Egypt on land cleared of Palestinian homes in similar demolition operations.   

 According to information collected by PCHR, at approximately midnight on 00:00, Friday 10 October, 2003, more than 80 Israeli tanks, accompanied by military bulldozers and helicopters, moved approximately 300 meters into Blocks L and J of the Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under cover of heavy shelling by the tanks and helicopters, Israeli forces raided and took over 8 buildings in the area, including al-Amal Rehabilitation Center, using them as military posts. Israeli bulldozers completely demolished 90 houses and partially demolished 80 others, and destroyed various buildings and aspects of the civilian infrastructure.  7 civilian vehicles and a concrete factory were also destroyed and a mosque and the al-Amal Rehabilitation Center were damaged.  Residents of the area told PCHR's field workers that most of the demolitions began while the families were still inside their homes.

 Soon after Israeli forces moved into the area, clashes broke out between members of the Palestinian resistance and Israeli forces, during which time 3 armed Palestinians were killed. 5 other Palestinians, including 3 children, were killed as a result of indiscriminate shelling and shooting from tanks and helicopters into the densely populated area. 53 civilians were injured, including 19 children, 6 women and 6 elderly people. PCHR’s field worker reported that the 6 elderly people were injured when an Israeli helicopter fired a missile at around 04:20 towards a group of houses and a Palestinian woman and her daughter were forced to wait for 3 hours for medical assistance after they were injured while in their home.

 During the attack, Palestinian ambulances were fired at while attempting to evacuate the wounded and a medic, Raja' Salah 'Omar, 30, was reportedly shot in the back.  Ambulances and medical teams faced severe difficulties in evacuating the injured to hospitals in other areas of the Gaza Strip, due to the severe closures imposed on the entire OPT.

The 8 Palestinians killed have been identified as:

 1.     Mohammed Ahmed Younis ‘Abdul Wahab, 23, hit by a live bullet in the abdomen;

2.     Nader “Ahmed Fu’ad” Abu Taha, 23, hit by a live bullet in the chest;

3.     Ibrahim Ahmed al-Qurainawi, 8, hit by a live bullet in the abdomen;

4.     ‘Alaa’ No’man Mansour, 33, hit by a live bullet in the abdomen;

5.     Sami Talal Salah, 15, hit by shrapnel from an artillery shell in the head;

6.     Mabrouk Mohammed Jouda, 15, hit by shrapnel from an artillery shell;

7.     ‘Atwa Yousef Abu Muhsen, 20, hit by a live bullet in the head; and

8.     Zaki Yahia al-Sharif, 19, hit by a live bullet in the head. 

Note: PCHR has complete lists of the injured and the houses and lands that were destroyed.

 At approximately 16:00, a number of Palestinian civilians in Jenin left their houses to buy basic foodstuffs and other necessities, when an armored personnel carrier and an Israeli military jeep, drove into the center of the town. Israeli forces had been in the town since Sunday, 5 October 2003. Without warning, Israeli soldiers on the armored personnel carrier opened fire at the civilians, seriously wounding 15-year-old Rashed ‘Abdullah Abu Sirriya with a medium caliber bullet in the left thigh. 

 At approximately 16:10, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 400m into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun and destroyed a well owned by the heirs of Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad. The well had recently been repaired after Israeli forces had destroyed it on a previous occasion.

 At approximately 17:45, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus.  Soon after, a number of Palestinian boys gathered in the center of the village and threw stones towards the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers got out of their jeeps and fired at the boys, wounding 2:

 1.     Mazen ‘Ali ‘Abdul Rahman Haj Mohammed, 17, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the right side; and

2.     ‘Arafat Fawzi Mohammed Abu Hait, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh. 

Saturday, 11 October 2003

 At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun and destroyed 3 wells owned by:

1.     Mohammed Saqer al-Da’our;

2.     Mohammed Hassan al-Zwaidi and ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Mohammed al-Zwaidi; and

3.     Mohammed ‘Abdul Ra’ouf ‘Okasha.

According to Ramadan Abu Na’im, 2 months ago, USAID, the organization authorized by the Beit Hanoun Municipality to oversee the reconstruction of the destroyed wells, had obtained Israeli approval to reconstruct them after they were provided with the necessary data.  Although laborers and engineers working on the project came under Israeli gunfire on more than one occasion, they were able to reconstruct and repair 8 wells, approximately 300m west of the border of the Gaza Strip with Israel, to the east and north of Beit Hanoun. The reconstruction of each well costs US$ 40,000.

 Sunday, 12 October 2003

 At approximately 06:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations in the vicinity of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian houses, 200m to the west of the settlement.  No casualties were reported, but 7 houses were damaged. 

 At approximately 15:00, after Israeli forces killed an armed Palestinian near “Morag” settlement, south of Khan Yunis, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by 2 tanks and a military bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis.  Under cover of intense shelling, they destroyed a cow farm and razed an area of agricultural land:

 1.     They destroyed a 500-square-meter, iron-roofed cow farm owned by Khalil Mohammed al-Najjar.

2.     They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables owned by Hanzal Ahmed al-Sha’er. 

They also destroyed the electricity network for the area. 

 At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the south and east of the settlement. A Palestinian child, Najat Asa’ad Husni al-‘Arian, 4, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder, while she was playing with other children near her family’s house in al-Katiba neighborhood, approximately 1km away from the source of fire.   

Monday, 13 October 2003

At approximately 00:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, moved approximately 400m into Palestinian areas located to the west of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  Under cover of intense shelling, they demolished 2 houses and razed areas of agricultural land:

1.     They demolished a 70-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ibrahim ‘Abdul Rahman Hussein Bashir, in which 2 people lived.  They also destroyed a 140-meter-long fence, 2 water motors and 2 water tanks and uprooted 11 olive trees.

2.     They demolished a 70-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Subhia ‘Atiya Hassan Abu Muneefi, in which 4 people lived. 

3.     They razed a 2.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, figs and olives, and destroyed a car owned by ‘Oraif ‘Ouda ‘Oraif Abu Muneefi. 

4.     They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with palms, figs and olives owned by Yahia ‘Abdul Rahman Bashir.

5.     They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, figs and olives owned by ‘Ali Mohammed ‘Ali Abu Qassem. 

6.     They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, figs and olives and an 18-square-meter agricultural store owned by ‘Ali ‘Erfan Abu Muneefi. 

7.     They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with palms, figs and olives and destroyed a 35-meter-long fence owned by Ahmed Mahmoud ‘Ali al-Zurai’ei. 

8.     They razed a 750-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mousa Jarad ‘Abed Rabbu Mousa.

9.     They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with palms and destroyed 3 gas pumps, an air pump, an electricity network and a 20-meter-long fence owned by the ‘Akkila Fuel Company. 

10. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and olives and destroyed a well, 4 agricultural stores and a 400-meter-long fence. 

11. They destroyed a 500-square-meter factory of greenhouses, a 500-square-meter agricultural nursery, demolished 2 bird farms and killed 15 sheep owned by Mahmoud ‘Ouda Ahmed Abu Samra. 

12. They destroyed a 25-meter-long fence owned by Nawaf ‘Abdul ‘Azim Jaber Abu ‘Owaimer. 

13. They destroyed a 10-meter-long fence and an iron gate owned by Saher ‘Abdul Karim Suleiman al-Atrash. 

 At approximately 12:00, Israeli tanks positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, indiscriminately fired tank-mounted machine guns in the direction of Palestinian houses in Block L of Rafah refugee camp. Israeli occupying forces continued shooting in sporadic bursts until 22:00, wounding 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.     Mohammed 'Ali al-Jazzar, 70, wounded by shrapnel in the chest;

2.     Mohammed Kayed al-Batneeji, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the right arm and the left thigh; and

3.     Ahmed Mohammed al-Batneeji, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the chest. 

Tuesday, 14 October 2003

At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and combat helicopters, moved into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border.  Under cover of indiscriminate shelling by tanks and helicopter gunships, Israeli forces raided and searched some of the houses in the area, and used a number of houses as military posts, from which they opened fire into the neighborhood. During the operation, Israeli occupying forces arrested 3 Palestinians:

1.     Suleiman Mousa al-Satari, 42;

2.     Wassim Suleiman al-Satari, 20; and

3.     Mousa Ibrahim al-Satari, 28. 

 As a result of indiscriminate shelling by Israeli tanks, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.     'Ammar Lutfi Abu Sha'ar, 13, wounded by shrapnel in the head;

2.     Mishat 'Abdul 'Aziz Abu Mor, 16, wounded by 2 live bullets in the right hand;

3.     Mohammed Na'im Barakat, 20, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the back; and

4.     Ikram Tawfiq al-Liddawi, 19, critically wounded by a live bullet in the head. 

 At the time of writing, Israeli occupying forces have not withdrawn from al-Salam neighborhood. Israeli occupying forces in al-Salam have destroyed a number of houses, razed areas of agricultural land, and damaged the infrastructure of the area. 

  At approximately 08:15, 2 armored personnel carriers and 3 military jeeps moved into Nablus through its eastern entrance, and began to fire indiscriminately at Palestinian houses. A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Yousef ‘Eissa Abu al-‘Ez, 33, from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh. 

 At approximately 10:30, an Israeli tank, 3 armored personnel carriers and 6 military jeeps moved into Tulkarm and imposed a curfew on the town and refugee camp and opened fire at houses and streets.  7 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.     Ibrahim Na’el Dumairi, 47, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand;

2.     Ziad ‘Omar Bisharat, 34, wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis;

3.     Tariq Mohammed Fayeq ‘Abdullah, 20, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand;

4.     Mohammed Salim Ahmed Khader, 28, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest;

5.     Hazem ‘Omar Hamadu Bulaidi, 26, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right handd;

6.     Samer Jaber al-Naji, 25, wounded by a live bullet in the chest; and

7.     Sarhan ‘Omar ‘Ali Sarhan, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face. 

 In the evening, Israeli occupying force arrested 4 activists from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in Tulkarm:

1.     Rade Salin, 25, an American citizen;

2.     Dalin Wessen Blade, 26, an American citizen;

3.     Roy Ratklif, 61, a British citizen; and

4.     Daf Daini, 26, a British citizen.

 At approximately 23:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps and 2 armored personnel carriers moved into al-Karantina neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron. They surrounded the house of Rashad Sabri al-Tawil, 60, forcibly entered and searched the house and arrested the owner's daughter, Ikram, 24.

Wednesday, 15 October 2003

At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Sammou' village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Suleiman 'Eissa Mohammed al-Mahariq, 52; and

2.     Hatem Mohammed 'Eissa al-Mahariq, 40.  Hatem al-Maharig sustained fractures to his arms and bruises to his body during the raid.  Eyewitnesses reported that he was beaten by Israeli soldiers.

 At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces raided and searched the house of Mohammed Ayoub al-Natsha, 29, on al-Salam Street, Hebron, before arresting al-Natsha. 

 At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers on tanks positioned south of Khan Yunis on the road between the Sofa crossing and Salah al-Din street, opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms in al-Faukhari area to the north.  A Palestinian woman, Fattouma Harb Yousef al-Najjar, 61, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.

 At approximately 11:00, after 3 American private security personnel were killed by a bomb near the Hammouda fuel station at the eastern entrance to the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 22 tanks and 4 military bulldozers, moved approximately 2km into Beit Hanoun.  They took up position near the industrial zone of Beit Hanoun, approximately 100m away from the aforementioned fuel station. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian civilians as they withdrew towards the border with Israel 4 hours later. 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.     Younis Abu 'Ouda, 18, from Beit Hanoun, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

2.     Mohammed Abu Dan, 12, from Jabalya refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

3.     Ahmed Abu Eshkian, 12, from Jabalya refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

4.     Sameer al-Husari, 42, from Gaza city, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot; and

5.     Salman Nabhan, 37, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.

 At approximately 14:30, Israeli occupying forces that had moved into Tulkarm on the preceding day opened fire at Ramzi Mohammed 'Abdul Karim 'Atiya, 22, wounding him seriously by a live bullet in the neck.  Israeli forces claimed that ‘Atiya intended to throw a home-made explosive at them but eyewitnesses report that the area was completely quiet.

 In the afternoon, in an apparent willful killing, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Tulkarm, claiming that he did not obey orders to stop. Israeli soldiers refused the injured person any medical assistance and denied access to an ambulance waiting to evacuate him for approximately one hour.   During this time the injured man bled to death. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:00, Bilal Fahim Suleiman Zaidan, 32, from Ramin village, east of Tulkarm, was driving his car on a dirt road between Ramin and the nearby 'Anabta village, when he came across an Israeli military vehicle positioned at the end of the dirt road. He was forced to take this route because of a gate established by Israeli occupying forces blocking the Nablus-Tulkarm road.  While he was attempting to turn his car back, apparently to avoid being harassed by Israeli soldiers, the soldiers opened fire at him. He was wounded by several live bullets, in a clear example of excessive use of force. When a Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance attempted to reach the victim, Israeli soldiers denied the medical personnel access until 16:00.  By the time the ambulance was finally given access to the scene of the shooting, the victim had died of his wounds.  His body was then removed to a hospital in Tulkarm.  According to medical sources, the victim was hit by 2 live bullets in the chest and a third bullet in the right leg. 

 At approximately 16:00, Israeli soldiers fired at 10-year-old 'Abdul Halim Khalil 'Abed Rabbu, from Tulkarm, wounding him with a live bullet in the chest. According to eyewitnesses, the child was playing near his house when he was shot.

 In the third incursion into Rafah this week, at night, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by dozens of heavy military vehicles and supported by helicopters, moved into al-Brazil neighborhood under the cover of darkness.  Al-Brazil is in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border.  Accompanied by intense shelling, Israeli forces raided some residences and confiscated a number of houses for use as military posts, from which they fired at any moving object in the area.  Then, Israeli forces demolished a number of houses and razed areas of agricultural land under the pretext of searching for tunnels.  PCHR's field workers have not yet been able to reach the area, due the presence of large amounts of Israeli occupying forces.  However, residents of the area report via telephone that Israeli occupying forces have severely damaged the civilian infrastructure of al-Brazil neighborhood. 

 During this incursion, members of the Palestinian resistance and the National Security Force clashed with Israeli forces.  A member of the National Security Force, Walid Mohammed Younis 'Abdul Wahab, 37, was killed by a live bullet to the chest.  As a result of indiscriminate shelling by Israeli forces, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.     Mousa 'Abdul Fattah Fusaifes, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the neck;

2.     Khaled Barham Barbakh, 21, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg;

3.     Hamed Mousa al-Rantissi, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm;

4.     Mohammed Midhat Abu Jazar, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg;

5.     Wissam 'Abdul Karim Abu Libda, 24, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the right leg; and

6.     Marwan Ibrahim Mousa, 17, wounded by shrapnel I the left knee. 

Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets

In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. 

 At approximately 01:00 on Friday, 10 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 5 armored personnel carriers and 9 military jeeps and accompanied by an ambulance, moved into ‘Ourif village, south of Nablus, and imposed a curfew.  They surrounded a 100-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mustafa Ahmed Mustafa al-Safadi.  They forced the 9 residents of the house, including 5 children, and 5 families living in neighboring houses out of their homes.  Israeli soldiers moved the families approximately 500m away from the house.  In the meantime, a number of Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the al-Safadi residence.  At approximately 03:00, they destroyed the house.  The owner is the father of Ahmed al-Safadi, 17, who carried out a bombing against a site of the Israeli military liaison at the entrance to Tulkarm.  The bombing occurred a few hours before the destruction of his family’s home.    

 Restrictions on Freedom of Movement of Medical Personnel and Ambulances and Attacks on Medical Facilities

This week, Israeli occupying forces launched a series of attacks on Palestinian medical personnel and facilities, protected under the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949. Israeli forces also restricted the movement of ambulances through military checkpoints. 

 On Thursday morning, 9 October 2003, Israeli soldiers positioned at a military checkpoint at ‘Anata crossroads, east of Jerusalem, denied passage of a Palestinian medical delegation, including 35 physicians, who were traveling to Ramallah, and forced them to travel back to Bethlehem, where they had come from. 

 On the same day, Israeli soldiers positioned at Baga al-Sharqia gate, along the Israeli separation wall built on Palestinian land north of Tulkarm, held a Palestinian Ministry of Health ambulance for 4 hours, before turning it back. The ambulance was loaded with medicine for a medical center in Baqa al-Sharqia village.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers stopped the ambulance and forced its medical personnel out while they searched the vehicle using dogs.  A tire of the vehicle was also punctured during the search.  Israeli soldiers held the ambulance at the gate for 4 hours before forcing it to travel back to the hospital.  It is worth noting that this village is located between the “separation wall” and the Green Line.  Israeli occupying forces established a gate at its entrance, but this gate has been closed for 2 weeks. 

 At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 13 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces raided a medical center in Halhoul village, north of Hebron.  They arrested a patient who was waiting to be checked by doctors.  According to Dr. Nasser Abu Yousef, director of the medical center, a number of Israeli military jeeps raided the building while many patients were waiting to receive medical treatment.  The raid severely impacted the ability of medical personnel to do their job and made it impossible to maintain the necessary atmosphere for medical work. 

Continued Construction of the “Separation Wall” inside the West Bank

Israeli occupying forces have continued to construct the “separation wall” on Palestinian territory in the West Bank. On Friday, 10 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces handed a military order to the inhabitants of Kherbat Jebara village, south of Tulkarm, prohibiting them access to their agricultural lands without prior Israeli permission.  The military order provided that:

 “Contingence areas inside the fence shall be seized for security and military purposes.  Those who wish to enter Kherbat Jebara or lands located behind the fence or bring workers to these lands must obtain permission after proving their ownership of these lands, excluding children under 16 who can be registered in their fathers’ permits.  Also, residents of Kherbat Jebara must obtain permission to be able to reach and leave their places of residence and must prove that they have lived there for at least 2 years.  This order shall enter into force upon its receipt by residents of the village.”

 Israeli occupying forces have continued to maintain a closure of the gates established along the “separation wall” in the north of the West Bank.  They have denied access for Palestinian farmers to their agricultural lands, which have become isolated on the western side of the wall.  Israeli occupying forces have denied access for about 70 Palestinian farmers from Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya, to their homes, which they had left 11 days ago to tend their agricultural lands.  Their agricultural lands are now located between the “separation wall” and the Green Line. 

According to information gathered by PCHR, on Sunday morning, 5 October 2003, about 30 families from Jayous village went to their agricultural lands through a gate established at the “separation wall” to cultivate vegetables and fruits.  When they wanted to return back to their homes in the evening, Israeli soldiers positioned at the aforementioned gate refused to allow them passage, so they were forced to spend the night on their agricultural lands.  The families have made daily attempts to pass through the gate to get home but Israeli soldiers have so far only permitted the women and children to pass through.  About 70 farmers have continued to be held between the “separation wall” and the Green Line.  In a phone call, one of the farmers told PCHR’s field worker that the farmers were running out of food and have been forced to eat their crops.  The farmer added that representatives of the ICRC were able to reach them on Saturday, 11 October 2003, and provided them with some foodstuffs. 

 Since the beginning of the olive harvest in early October, Israeli occupying forces have denied access for thousands of Palestinian farmers from Jenin, Tulkarm and Qalqilya to their olive groves through gates constructed along the “separation wall.”  These continuing arbitrary measures are endangering the olive harvest and, thus, the primary source of income for many Palestinian families in these areas. 

 In the same context, Israeli occupying forces have denied access for the residents of ‘Azzoun and Nabi Elias villages, east of Qalqilya, to their agricultural lands, which have also become trapped behind the “separation wall.”  According to these residents, Israeli occupying forces have incorporated any access route to their agricultural lands.  Israeli occupying forces have also not incorporated any access route along the section of the “separation wall” extending from the eastern entrance to Qalqilya to Jayous village.  Thus Palestinian farmers have not been able to reach their agricultural lands located behind the wall in this area.  The length of this section of the “separation wall” is more than 10km. 

 In addition, about 10,000 residents of Baqa al-Sharqia, Nazlat ‘Eissa and Nazlat Abu Nar villages, north of Tulkarm, have been confined to their villages since 3 October 2003, when Israeli occupying forces closed all gates in the wall around these villages.  Israeli occupying forces have also denied access for teachers living outside to schools in the village, disrupting education.  Residents of the village are experiencing shortages of foodstuffs, milk and animal feeds.  The three villages are located between the “separation wall” and the Green Line.           

 Israeli occupying forces have established 8 gates in wall in the Tulkarm district.  They claim that these gates were established to facilitate movement of Palestinians, however Israeli occupying forces often close these gates for several days, denying passage of Palestinians, including the sick and school children.  These gates are located at the entrances to the villages of Qiffin, Baqa al-Sharqia, Deir al-Ghosoun and Shwaika villages, north of Tulkarm, and Artah, Far’oun, Kherbat Jebara and Kufor Jammal, south of the town. 

Continued Siege on the OPTs

Israeli occupying forces have continued to severely restrict movement of Palestinians within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.  Israeli occupying forces imposed a total internal and external closure on the Gaza Strip from early morning on Sunday, 5 October 2003 and all main internal roads were closed, segregating the Gaza Strip into 4 isolated zones.  In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have declared some areas closed military zones, including the Jordan Valley.  They have also used excessive force against Palestinian civilians attempting to cross checkpoints.  As a consequence, access to education, to work and to health care services has been severely restricted for many thousands of Palestinians in the OPT.

The Gaza Strip 

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on the Gaza Strip.  They have maintained a closure of the main and branch roads, segregating the strip into 4 isolated zones.  They have continued to close the Morag/Sofa junction between Rafah and Khan Yunis, and the al-Matahen and Abu Houli junctions between Khan Yunis and the central Gaza Strip, both on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), and again on the costal road between the central and northern Gaza Strip.  Israeli occupying forces have opened these roads for only  up to 3 hours daily.  This closure has severely disrupted education and health services, work and other commercial activities.  Israeli occupying forces have also closed border crossings with Israel.     

 As a result of the deployment of Israeli troops between Rafah and Khan Yunis, residents of al-Salam, al-Nasser and al-Fukhari areas have been denied access to education, work, and health services. Israeli soldiers stationed in this area routinely open fire at any moving object. 

 In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities.  They have maintained a closure of military checkpoints and erected roaming checkpoints on other roads. 

Occupied Jerusalem

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a tight siege on the city. They erected more roadblocks on the main roads further restricting residents’ movement and closed all roads leading to the western part of the city.  They have also isolated the city from the rest of the West Bank.  Many patients from the West Bank have been denied access to hospitals in the city. 

 Ramallah

Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on Ramallah and al-Bireh.  They have maintained a closure of the Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, for the 10^th consecutive day.  Since Thursday morning, 9 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces have maintained closure of the Surda checkpoint, north of Ramallah, denying passage of thousands of Palestinians, including students of Bir Zeit University.  On Saturday, 11 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces used excessive force against hundreds of Palestinian civilians who gathered near Surda checkpoint waiting to be allowed to cross it.  Israeli soldiers beat a number of these civilians.  Israeli soldiers positioned at ‘Atara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, denied passage of Palestinian civilians.  This checkpoint is locaated on the road linking Ramallah and the north of the West Bank, and between the northern and northwestern villages of Ramallah.  Since Thursday, 9 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces have imposed a strict siege on the entrances to Bir Zeit University and denied access for thousands of students and professors to the university.  They have also continued to impose a curfew on the villages of Abu Shukhaidem, al-Mazara’a al-Gharbia and Bir Zeit and al-Jalazoun refugee camp. 

Bethlehem and Hebron

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on Bethlehem and Hebron, denying Palestinian civilians their right to freedom of movement.  Israeli occupying forces had refused to allow the entry of gas supplies for medical and domestic uses into Bethlehem and Hebron for 12 consecutive days.  They permitted the entry of some gas supplies on Monday, 13 October 2003.  Fuels supplies ran out on 9 October 2003.  Israeli occupying forces claimed that this measure was taken for “security” reasons.  However, Israeli military officers reportedly openly stated that the entry of gas supplies would be conditioned on a halt to deals between Palestinian traders and the Palestinian Petrol Corporation.  Some ambulances were forced to go to a fuel station in Kfar Etzion area, north of Hebron, to obtain fuel. 

Israeli occupying forces have also further tightened the siege imposed on the villages and refugee camps located near the two towns.  They have closed checkpoints and roads leading to the two towns.  On 11, 12 and 13 October 2003, Israeli soldiers checked dozens of Palestinian civilians at the northwestern and eastern entrances to Hebron, and before forcing them to return to their villages.

 On Sunday morning, 12 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on the southern and central neighbourhoods of Hebron.  On the same day, they closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinians, but permitted access for Israeli settlers.  The mosque was reopened to Palestinian worshippers the following evening. 

 On Wednesday morning, 15 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces set up a barbwire barricade at the western entrance to Beit Jala town and al-Khader village, denying access for Palestinians to land to the west of Bethlehem. 

Nablus

Israeli occupying forces have continued to restrict movement of Palestinian civilians, including patients, through military checkpoints.  Israeli soldiers positioned at Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of Nablus, denied passage of trucks loaded with vegetables and foodstuffs.  They also denied access for water trucks to Rujib village, east of Nablus.  On 1 October 2003, Israeli military bulldozers destroyed the main road leading to this village, and its water network. As a result the villagers have been suffering increasing drinking water shortages.

Jenin

Israeli occupying forces have closed all roads leading to the Jordan valley.  They have threatened to open fire at Palestinians using these roads.  The closure included al-Hamra Street, Tayaseer Street, al-Jiftlek Street, al-Boqaia'a Street and route no. 90.

Tulkarm

Israeli occupying forces have continued to isolate the town from its neighbouring villages. They have also tightened the siege imposed on al-Kafriyar area, south of the town, and reinforced their presence on roads to the south and east of the town.  Israeli occupying forces have closed 'Ennab gate on the Tulkarm-Nablus road and denied movement of Palestinian civilians on the road.  They have also closed the two gates established at the entrances to Baqa al-Sharqia and Nazlat 'Eissa villages, denying passage of Palestinian civilians. 

Qalqilya

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a closure of the main entrance of the town for 12 consecutive days.  They have prevented Palestinian civilians from traveling to and from the town. On Saturday, 11 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on the villages of Beit Amin, Sneeria, 'Azzoun and 'Attma.