Uprooting Palestinian Trees

And Leveling Agricultural Land

  

The Third Report on Israeli Land Sweeping and Demolition of Palestinian Buildings and Facilities in the Gaza Strip

November 22, 2000 – December 18, 2000

 

 

 

 

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists – Geneva

Member of the International Federation for Human Rights – Paris

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network

E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org


Introduction:

 The human rights violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians are not limited to willful killing and shelling Palestinian cities and residential neighborhoods.  The violations are also not limited to implementing measures of collective punishment through imposing a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories and isolating Palestinian cities and areas from one another.  In addition, the Israeli occupation forces are sweeping large areas of Palestinian agricultural and wooded land, and destroying houses and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip, in both the areas under the control of these forces and the areas under the control of the Palestinian National Authority, especially in those areas adjacent to military posts of the Israeli occupation forces, on the sides of roads used by these forces, near border areas and in the vicinity of settlements and the roads leading to them.

 This is the third specialized report by PCHR on sweeping of land and demolishing of houses and civilian facilities by the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, since the outbreak of clashes between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupation forces on September 29, 2000.  This report covers the period of November 22 – December 18, 2000, continuing our past two reports which covered the period of September 29 – November 21, 2000.  

 During the period of September 29 – December 18, 2000, the Israeli occupation forces swept 4456 donums of land in the Gaza Strip, about 3520 donums (79%) of which were agricultural lands, and about 920 donums (21%) were wooded and sandy lands.  During the period of November 22 – December 18, 2000, the Israeli occupation forces swept 1617.5 donums of land, about 1545 donums (96%) of which were agricultural lands and 72.5 donums (4%) were wooded lands. These figures do not include the areas of houses and civilian and agricultural facilities established outside these areas, which were also swept and demolished.

 What the Israeli occupation forces are doing in the occupied Palestinian territories against Palestinian land and property is an implementation of the policies of Israeli governments aiming at creating new facts on the ground that are irreversible.  The uprooting of thousands of fruitful trees and the destruction of greenhouses, which are the bases of the Palestinian agricultural sector, will cause financial losses for several years in the future, even if we assume that Palestinian civilians will be able to replant their land in the future.  But there is real danger these lands may never be regained by Palestinian farmers.  Illegal Israeli settlements may well annex parts of these swept areas or they may be used for military posts, bypass roads or security space for the Israeli occupation forces.  These actions are blatant violations of individual and collective economic and social rights.

 The actions of the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Palestinian territories are blatant violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949).  Article 53 of the Convention states: “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or co-operative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.”   Article 147 of the Convention states: “…extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity…”

 Land sweeping and property destruction carried out largely by the Israeli occupation forces are among the scope of collective penalties and measures of intimidation and terrorism against civilians, prohibited by Article 33 of the Convention, which states: “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited.”

 The sweeping has included more than 4456 donums of agricultural and wooded land since the outbreak of clashes between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupation forces.  In addition, the Israeli occupation forces destroyed civilian and agricultural facilities and uprooted thousands of fruit-bearing trees.  It is expected that these forces will systematically continue these actions as they control 42% of the area of the Gaza Strip – out of a total of 365 square kilometers.  This will lead to further deterioration of the economic and social rights of Palestinian civilians.  The Israeli occupation forces aim at creating new facts on the ground as they have continued to reinforce their presence and to establish new military posts in the Gaza Strip.

 PCHR condemns these illegal actions carried out by the Israeli occupation forces.  PCHR reiterates its call on the international community, especially the High Contracting Parties (HCPs) to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to take practical deterrent measures against the Israeli military occupation authorities.  PCHR also calls on these HCPs to activate Article 1 of the Convention, to ensure its respect, and to put an end to frequent attacks on civilian residents’ property.

 PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately provide international protection for Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories as a basic step to stopping Israeli aggression against Palestinian lives and properties.

 The following section of this report details the sweeping and demolition carried out by the Israeli occupation forces during the period of November 22 – December 18, 2000.  At the end of the report, there is a table showing the tracts of land swept from September 29, 2000 to December 18, 2000.


Rafah:

 Sunday, November 26, 2000:

 At approximately 22:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to sweep areas of agricultural land and destroy agricultural facilities and equipment in the area of Um El-Selek, to the west of Morag settlement. The land is on the western side of western Rafah-Khan Yunis road, opposite to the junction leading to Morag settlement, and on both sides of the road leading to Rafah settlements and Gush Qatif settlement block (Oreibeh road). The sweeping, which lasted until the following morning, included:

         1)         A 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Humeid Hamdan Hassan Qeshta. In addition, two 60-square-meter rooms, which were used as stores, were destroyed.

         2)         A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Ahmed Suleiman Ahmed El-Shae’r. In addition, agricultural equipment, two agricultural pools and an irrigation network were destroyed. Three greenhouses were damaged.

         3)         Destroying two rooms and confiscating three irrigation pumps. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed. All of these are owned by Suleiman Ahmed Suleiman El-Shae’r.

         4)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Attaya Jaber El-Shae’r. In addition, agricultural equipment and an irrigation network were destroyed.

      5)      A well, owned by the Al-Agha and Qandil families, which provided water for 100 donums of agricultural land and for more than 50 families, was destroyed. Its construction cost was about US$ 60,000.

         6)         Two agricultural pools, two water pumps and other agricultural equipment, owned by Ibrahim Mousa Qandil, were destroyed.

         7)         A one-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Alawi Mousa Qandil. In addition, two rooms, two agricultural pools, two water pumps and other equipment were destroyed.

 

Tuesday, November 28, 2000

 At approximately 8:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept a strip of land 200m long and 5m wide near the southern border of Morag settlement.  They swept areas of wooded and agricultural land planted with olives, which are part of a 50-donum area of land owned by the family of Al-Masri.

 

Sunday, December 3, 2000

 At approximately 22:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept areas of agricultural land and demolished agricultural facilities in the west of Rafah, on both sides of the road branch of Rafah-Khan Yunis western road leading to Gush Qatif settlement block. The sweeping and demolition included:

1)                     A four-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Humeid Hamdan Qeshta, on which greenhouses planted with vegetables were established. In addition, a motorized sprinkler and an irrigation network were destroyed.

2)              A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Humeid Hamdan Qeshta. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

3)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Kamal Ahmed Suleiman El-Shae’r. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

4)                     Two two-donum areas of agricultural land planted with olives, which were farmed by the above-mentioned citizen.

5)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land on which greenhouses planted with vegetables were established. The land was farmed by Mohammed Ahmed Suleiman El-Shae’r. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

 

Monday, December 4, 2000

 At approximately 22:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept more areas of agricultural land and demolished more agricultural facilities in the area of Oraybeh, to the west of Rafah, on both sides of the road branch of Rafah-Khan Yunis western road leading to Gush Qatif settlement block, and near the borders of Morag settlement. PCHR’s field officer in Rafah reported that the new sweeping and demolition, which lasted until the following morning, included:

1)                     A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, owned by the heirs of Ali El-Shae’r.

2)                     A1.5-donum area of agricultural land on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established, owned by Sae’id Hafezh El-Agha.

3)                     A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by brothers Kamal and Mohammed Ahmed El-Shae’r. In addition, four greenhouses were destroyed.

4)                     Uprooting cypress trees surrounding a tract of land owned by Darwish El-Masri, 500 meters long and 50 meters wide. Uprooted trees were thrown onto a one-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by A’llawi Mousa Qandil. Crops were damaged as a result.

 

Thursday, December 14, 2000

 In the morning, the Israeli occupation forces swept a 17-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives in the area of Um Al-Qureis to the east of Morag settlement. Ali Abed Rabbo Ali Dhuheir owns the swept area of land.

 

Saturday, December 16, 2000

 Early in the morning, the Israeli occupation forces swept areas of agricultural land on the eastern side of Rafah-Khan Yunis western road, to the south of the road leading to Morag settlement. This sweeping included:

1)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Arafat Zeidan Meziad Dhuheir, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established.

2)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Mufid Zeidan Meziad Dhuheir, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established.

3)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Fadi Zeidan Meziad Dhuheir, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established.

4)                     The destruction of an agricultural pool, a store of agricultural equipment and two agricultural pumps, owned by the above-mentioned men, who are all brothers.

5)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Taher Ramadan Meziad Dhuheir, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established.

6)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Mazen Ramadan Meziad Dhuheir, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established.

7)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Zakaria Ramadan Meziad Dhuheir, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established.

8)                     The destruction of an agricultural pool, a store of agricultural equipment, a water pump and two agricultural pumps, owned by the above brothers. In addition, an electricity network was destroyed and a number of fruit trees planted between greenhouses were uprooted. These are owned by the three men mentioned immediately above; they are brothers.

9)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Ziad Mohammed Meziad Dhuheir, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables were established.

10)                   A two-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Ziada Mohammed Meziad Dhuheir, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables were established.

11)                   A two-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Salah Mohammed Meziad Dhuheir, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables were established.

12)                   The destruction of two rooms that were used as agricultural equipment stores, two irrigation pumps, an agricultural pump and an electricity generator. In addition, some fruit trees planted between greenhouses were uprooted. These are owned by the three men mentioned immediately above; they are brothers.

13)                   A three-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Hussam Madhiouf Meziad Dhuheir, on which three greenhouses planted with vegetables were stored. In addition, an agricultural pool, two agricultural pumps, a water pump, a store of agricultural equipment and a 300-square-meter bird farm were destroyed.

14)                   A two-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Nabil Madhiouf Meziad Dhuheir, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables were established.

15)                   A two-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Rezeq Madhiouf Meziad Dhuheir, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables were established.

16)                   A two-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Wasfi Madhiouf Meziad Dhuheir, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables were established.

17)                   The destruction of an agricultural pool, an electricity generator and a water pump owned by the three men mentioned immediately above; they are brothers.

18)                   A three-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Zuhair Dheifallah Meziad Dhuheir, on which three greenhouses planted with vegetables were established. In addition, an agricultural pool, two water pumps and an agricultural pump were destroyed.

 

Khan Yunis:

 

Wednesday, November 22, 2000

 At approximately 23:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to sweep areas of agricultural land and to demolish houses and civilian facilities on both sides of Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip).  This aggression lasted until 5:00 local time on the following day.  PCHR’s field officer in Khan Yunis reported that the Israeli occupation forces expelled Palestinians from their houses without being able to evacuate furniture before the demolition.  This demolition included three houses, two wells and irrigation facilities, 400m to the south of the junction leading to Gush Qatif settlement block (Al-Matahen junction), as follows:

1)                     A 200-square-meter house owned by Abdel-Hakim Abu Houli.

2)                     A 200-square-meter house owned by sons of Qassem Al-Farra.  In addition, a well and an irrigation pump were destroyed.

3)                     A 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 20 people live, owned by Abed Mansour El-Ghamri.

4)                     A well and an irrigation pump owned by Abdel-Qader Abu Houli and brothers.

 

On the eastern side of Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), 300m to the south of the junction leading to Gush Qatif settlement block, the Israeli occupation forces demolished and swept:

1)                     A 150-square-meter house owned by Abdel-Azziz Salman Abu E’id;

2)                     A 120-square-meter house owned by Khadhra Mussallam Abu E’id;

3)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Salem Abdel-Karim Abu E’id; and

4)                     A ten-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and olives, owned by Mustafa Mousa Abu E’id.

 

Monday, November 27, 2000

 In the afternoon, a group of settlers, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, swept a 40-donum area of agricultural land in Al-Mawasi (agricultural) area in Khan Yunis, to the west of Neve Dekalim settlement, adjacent to the road between Khan Yunis and the sea from the southern side.

 

Tuesday, November 28, 2000

 In Al-Qarara, near Khan Yunis, the Israeli occupation forces swept areas of agricultural land and demolished houses, 250 meters to the east of Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip). PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that this particular action included:

1)                     A nine-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Fuad and Jamal Mabrouk El-Qedra. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

2)                     A 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by the heirs of Mabrouk Ismail El-Qedra.

3)                     A 0.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Kamel Mabrouk El-Qedra.

4)                     An 80-square-meter house, in which eight people lived, owned by Sami Ismail El-Qedra. The house was surrounded by 500 square meters of agricultural land planted with olives.

5)                     A 90-square-meter house, in which eight people lived, owned by Suleiman Salem Abu Rezeq.

6)                     Cutting electricity and water to a number of houses in the area.

 In the evening, the Israeli occupation forces swept areas of agricultural land and demolished buildings along the road branching from Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) leading to Gush Qatif settlement block (Al-Matahen Junction). PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the sweeping and demolition included:

1)                     A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by the heirs of Jbara Ismail El-Farra.

2)                     A 60-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by the heirs of Rafiq Jbara El-Farra. In addition, a well, two water pumps, two rooms and an irrigation network were destroyed.

3)                     An eight-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Sae’b Mustafa El-Farra.

4)                     A 150-square-meter house, in which four people lived, owned by Abdel-Mou’ti Abu Ghayyadh.

5)                     A 500-square-meter tin house, in which 13 people lived, owned by Mohammed Salim Hussein Abu Hassan.

6)                     A 120-square-meter house, in which seven people lived, owned by Mohammed Suleiman Boreis.

7)                     A 148-square-meter house, in which eight people lived, owned by Salim Suleiman El-Musseeb.

8)                     A 120-square-meter house, in which 14 people lived, owned by Nayef Suleiman El-Musseeb.

 

Monday, December 11, 2000

 In the evening, a group of settlers, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, swept a seven-donum area of wooded land, owned by Hafezh Abdel-A’al Al-Najjar, in Al-Mawasi (agricultural) area, under the control of the Israeli occupation forces, in Khan Yunis.

 

Tuesday, December 12, 2000

 In the evening, the Israeli occupation forces swept a 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, owned by Mohammed Salem Abu Haddaf, on the southern of the road leading to Kissufim Crossing on the borderline, branch of Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip).

 

Thursday, December 14, 2000

 In the afternoon, the Israeli occupation forces swept more areas of agricultural land in the area of Gizan Al-Najjar in the south of Khan Yunis. A number of Palestinian farmers said that the Israeli occupation forces, prior to the sweeping, engaged in intensive shooting at Palestinian farmers in order to terrify them and force them to leave their land. The shooting lasted sporadically for 30 minutes. Then, a bulldozer of the Israeli occupation forces started to sweep and destroy the following:

1)                     A 20-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables owned by Khalil Omar Shaker Al-Najjar. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

2)                     An 11-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables owned by Bohom Mousa Mohammed Qandil. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

3)                     An agricultural pool, a 24-square-meter room and a water pump owned by Ramadan Hafezh Abdel-Karim Al-Najjar.

4)                     An agricultural pool, a 32-square-meter room and a water pump owned by Abdel-Mouti Hafezh Abdel-Karim Al-Najjar.

 

Friday, December 15, 2000

 In the evening, 21:00-23:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept more areas of agricultural land on the northern side of the road branching from Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) leading to Gush Qatif settlement block in the west.  These forces swept a seven-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Jehad Abu Madhi.

  

The Middle Area (in the Vicinity of Kfar Darom Settlement):  

 

Friday, November 24, 2000

At approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to sweep areas of agricultural land and to demolish civilian facilities on the eastern side of Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), 70 meters to the north of the junction leading to Kissufim Crossing on the borderline. As soon as these forces completed the sweeping, settlers of Kfar Darom settlement brought three caravans and put them on part of the swept land. The sweeping, which lasted until 5:00 local time on the following day, included:

1)                     A canned vegetables factory, established on a two-donum area of land, owned by Abdel-Rahman Khalil Abu Bashir. Losses are estimated at US$1million.

2)                     A four-donum area of agricultural land, on which four greenhouses planted with vegetables were established (owned by the above-mentioned citizen).

3)                     A 12-donum area of land ready for planting, owned by Sami A’aed Abu Haddaf. In addition, an irrigation network and under-construction greenhouses were destroyed. A 20-square-meter pool and a water pump were also destroyed.

 

Sunday, November 26, 2000

 At approximately 23:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept areas of agricultural land on the eastern side of Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), to the north of the junction leading to Kissufim Crossing. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the sweeping included:

1)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Mousa Salem Abu Haddaf. In addition, an irrigation network, an agricultural pool and a water pump were destroyed.

2)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land with a greenhouse planted with vegetables, owned by Salman Sweilem Abu Haddaf.

3)                     A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Mohammed Sweilem Abu Haddaf. In addition, an irrigation network and a water pump were destroyed.

4)                     An old house owned by Awadh El-Semeiri.

5)                     A room and a fence owned by Abdel-Karim El-Satari.

 To the east of Kfar Darom settlement, in the evening, the Israeli occupation forces swept:

1)                     An eight-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Rushdi Abu Bashir. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

2)                     A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Abdel-Aziz Khalil Abu Bashir. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

3)                     A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by the brothers Fawzi and Abdel-Hamid Abu Rihan.

4)                     A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Yousef Abdel-Aziz Bashir.

 

Tuesday, November 28, 2000

 In the morning, at approximately 1:00, the Israeli occupation forces swept areas of agricultural land on the eastern side of Salah El-Din Street, 400 meters to the north of the junction leading to Kissufim Border Crossing. PCHR’s field officer reported that Palestinian citizens faced the aggression of the Israeli occupation forces, but these forces used tear gas against them. Sweeping by bulldozers of the Israeli occupation forces lasted for four hours. PCHR’s field officer added that the sweeping included:

1)                     A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and vegetables, owned by A’wwad Abu Haddaf. In addition, an agricultural pool and an irrigation network were destroyed.

2)                     A nine-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and vegetables, owned by Mousa Abu Haddaf. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

3)                     A major water line that irrigated 200 donums of agricultural land and provided water for more than 100 families.

 

At approximately 22:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept more areas of agricultural land on the northern side of the road branching from Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) leading to Kissufim Border Crossing in the east. The swept areas are about 1,000 meters from Salah El-Din Street. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the sweeping included:

1)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables were established, owned by Awadh El-Semeiri. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

2)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables was established, owned by Aae’d Abu Haddaf.

3)                     A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Suleiman El-Semeiri.

4)                     A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Mohammed Abu Haddaf.

5)                     A 120-square-meter, one-story house owned by Ismail El-Saffi.

 

Wednesday, November 29, 2000

 At about 21:00 local time, Israeli occupation troops reinforced with tanks and bulldozers started to sweep areas of agricultural land and to demolish houses to the southeast of Kfar Darom settlement, near the road branch of Salah El-Din Street and Kissufim Crossing (700 meters from Salah El-Din Street).  PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the sweeping included:

1)                     A 25-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds, owned by Mustafa Abu Gharaba.

2)                     A 25-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds, owned by Salem Salameh Abu Gharaba.

3)                     A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms, owned by A’tteya Mohammed Suleiman Abu Zhaher. In addition, a store of agricultural equipment and a bird farm were demolished. Birds were killed.

4)                     A one-donum area of agricultural land along with a greenhouse planted with vegetables, owned by Suleiman Atweh Abu E’id.

 

Tuesday, December 5, 2000

 Early in the morning at approximately 1:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces continued to sweep areas of agricultural land on the southern side of the road branching from Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), leading to Kissufim Crossing. The sweeping of agricultural land, 500 meters to the west of Kissufim Crossing, which took place until 11:00 local time on the following day, included:

1)                     A 60-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds, owned by Rezeq A’wwad Abu Mosleh.

2)                     A seven-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Suleiman Abdullah El-Satari.

3)                     A 13-donum area of agricultural land planted with almonds owned by Mohammed Khamis Abu Mossae’d.

4)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Abdullah Salem Abu Musleh.

5)                     A 23-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Suleiman Baraka.

6)                     A nine-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Abed Mohammed Abu Abdullah.

 

At approximately 23:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces have continued to level areas of agricultural land in the above-mentioned area.  The new sweeping, which lasted until the following day, included:

1)                    A 25-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Turkeya Oudeh El-Masalha. In addition, a feed store was destroyed.

2)                    A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Farha Ahmed El-Masalha.

3)                    A five-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Abdullah Hassan El-Masalha.

4)                    A 45-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Suleiman Mastour El-Masalha.

5)                    A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Salem Abdullah Muhareb.

6)                    A 50-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Ibrahim Mohamed Abu Musleh.

7)                    A 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Ouqeil Abu Mossae’d.

8)                      A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Mosallam Abu E’id.

 

Saturday, December 9, 2000

 In the morning, the Israeli occupation forces swept more areas of agricultural land in the middle area. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the sweeping started at 2:00 local time and lasted for four hours. It included areas of agricultural land 700 meters to the north of the Palestinian Al-Matahen company at the road branching off Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) and leading to Gush Qatif settlement block in the west. The sweeping included:

1)                     A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and lemons, owned by Ahmed Mustafa El-Majayda. In addition, an irrigation network, a 150-square-meter bird farm, an agricultural pool and a well were destroyed. The house of El-Majayda, a 150-square-meter house, in which he lived with his seven-member family, was also demolished.

2)                     A three-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by A’dnan Mohammed Madhi.

 

Monday, December 11, 2000

 In evening, at approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept more areas of agricultural land to the north of a road branching from Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) leading to Gush Qatif settlement bloc. The affected areas are 800 meters away from Al-Matahen junction in the middle area of the Gaza Strip. The sweeping lasted until 2:00 local time on the following day. It included:

1)                     A 40-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and guavas, owned by Salem Mohammed Abu Shmas. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

2)                     A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Jehad Abu Madhi.

3)                     A three-donum area of agricultural land on which three greenhouses planted with vegetables were established, owned by Mohammed Abu Nahyeh. In addition, an irrigation network, a well and a water pump were destroyed.

 

Tuesday, December 12, 2000

 At approximately 23:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces swept more areas of agricultural land and demolished three houses and civilian facilities in Deir El-Balah, 50 meters to the west of Kfar Darom settlement. The sweeping and demolition lasted until 5:00 local time on the following day. The destruction included:

1)                     The house of Salem Abu Samra, a 280-square-meter, two-story house in which ten people live. It was completely demolished.

2)                     The house of Omar and A mmar Bashir, a 260-square-meter, one-story house in which six people live. It was completely demolished.

3)                     The house of Yousef Bashir, a 220-square-meter, one-story house. The family had left the house because of the frequent shelling and shooting. It was completely demolished.

4)                     An eight-donum area of agricultural land, owned by Khalil Bashir, on which eight greenhouses were planted with vegetables. In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

5)                     A five-donum area of agricultural land, three of which were planted with olives and palms, and on the other two, two greenhouses planted with vegetables. The land is owned by Baschar El-Tawasi.

6)                     A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Rushdi Abu Samra. In addition, the fence of his house was demolished.

7)                     An agricultural pool and a room inside which there was a water pump used for irrigation, owned Dhiab Bashir.

 

Sunday, December 17, 2000

 At approximately 23:00 local time, in Deir El-Balah, the Israeli occupation forces demolished a 400-square-meter, three-story house, in which 12 people live, owned by Fawzi Khalil Abu Samra. The house was to the northeast of Kfar Darom settlement.

  

Gaza (the Road between Al-Shuhada’ Junction and Netzarim Junction)

 

Friday, November 24, 2000

 The Israeli occupation forces at the road between Al-Shuhada (Netzarim) junction and Al-Mentar (Karni) Outlet with the borderline, in order to establish a new settlement road branching off the above road leading to the border line.  This particular action included:

1)                     A 7.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Baker Oleyan El-Heraqli.

2)                     An eight-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Mohammed Mahmoud Hajjaj.

3)                     A five-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Ne’man Hajjaj.

4)                    A seven-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Mohammed Muheisen Hajjaj.

5)                    An eight-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by the Abu El-Atta family.

6)     &