Uprooting Palestinian Trees

And Leveling Agricultural Land

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

January 16 – February 14, 2001

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:

 This is the fifth special report by PCHR about Israeli leveling of land and demolishing of houses and civilian facilities by in the Gaza Strip, since the outbreak of clashes between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupation forces on September 29, 2000.  This report is a continuation of the previous reports that covered the period of September 29, 2000 – January 15, 2001.  The present report covers the period of January 16 – February 14, 2001 during which the Israeli occupation forces razed 732.5 donums.  Approximately 717.5 donums of these were agricultural lands and approximately 15 donums of these were wooded land.

 During the period of September 29 – February 14, 2001, the Israeli occupation forces razed 7024 donums of land in the Gaza Strip.  Approximately 5494 donums of these (78.2%) were agricultural lands and approximately 1530 donums of these (21.8%) were wooded and unplanted lands. During the period January 16- February 14, 2001, Israeli bulldozers also demolished nine Palestinian houses on the razed lands.  This figure does not include the destruction of houses, civilian facilities, and agricultural facilities located on lands that were not razed.  This increases the total number of Palestinian houses demolished by the Israeli occupation forces during the period of September 29, 2000 – February 14, 2001 to 94.

 This Israeli destruction of Palestinian lands, homes, civilian facilities, and agricultural facilities is the implementation of the Israeli governmental policy of creating new and irreversible facts on the ground.  The aim of the Israeli policy of the destruction of Palestinian land and property is the creation of irreversible new facts on the ground. Even assuming that Palestinians are able to replant their land, the uprooting of thousands of fruit-bearing and the destruction of greenhouses will cause losses to the Palestinian economy for several years to come since these form the foundation of the Palestinian agricultural sector. However, even this scenario is optimistic since there is real danger that Palestinian farmers may never regain these lands.  Illegal Israeli settlements may well annex parts of these razed areas or, alternatively, they may be used for military posts, bypass roads, or security zones for the Israeli occupation forces.  These actions are blatant violations of both 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.”   In addition, article 147 of the Convention states: “…extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity…”

 Land razing and property destruction carried out largely by the Israeli occupation forces, constitute collective punishment, measures of intimidation and terrorism against civilians.  All of these measures are 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.”

 These unjustifiable actions also contradict the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.  Article 1 of the Covenant states that “in no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence,” and Article 5 denies “any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights or freedoms recognized herein…”  

 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 respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention, 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 toward ending Israeli aggression against Palestinian lives and properties.

 The following section of this report details the leveling and demolition carried out by the Israeli occupation forces during the period of January 16 – February 14, 2001.  At the end of the report, there are two tables showing the tracts of land swept and houses demolished from September 29, 2000 to February 14, 2001.

 Thursday, February 2, 2001

 At approximately 10:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces demolished the fence of a gas station.  The station is in Al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, near the border with Egypt.  In addition, a 50-square-meter asbestos shelter was also demolished.

Khan Yunis:

 Thursday, January 18 – Monday, January 22, 2001 

 The Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land in the Al-Mawasi area in Deir El-Balah.  Such razing, which lasted up to January 22, 2001, extended to areas of agricultural land in Al-Mawasi area in Al-Qarara in the north of Khan Yunis.  The Israeli occupation forces razed:

       1)         A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, guavas, and citrus, owned by Hamida Abdel-Hamid Abdullah.  In addition, a water pump and an irrigation network were destroyed.

       2)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, guavas, citrus, and mangos, owned by Mohammed Abdel-Hamid El-A’badleh.  In addition, a water pump, a room of agricultural tools, and an irrigation network were destroyed.

       3)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, guavas, citrus and mangos owned by Sami Suleiman El-A’badleh.  In addition, a water pump and an irrigation network were destroyed.

       4)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, guavas, citrus and mangos owned by Abdel-Lattif Abdel-Hamid El-A’badleh.  In addition, a water pump and an irrigation network were destroyed.

       5)         A ten-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, guavas, citrus, figs, pomegranates and mangos, owned by Mahmoud Suleiman El-A’badleh.  In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

       6)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, on a part pf which a greenhouse planted with vegetables also stood, owned by Zuhair Mahmoud El-A’badleh.  In addition, a water pump, a well and an irrigation network were destroyed.

       7)         A 17.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, palms, and citrus, on a part of which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by sons of Mustafa Hafezh El-A’badleh.  In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

       8)         A 17.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, palms and citrus, owned by Suleiman Khaled El-A’badleh.  In addition, a water pump and a well were destroyed.

       9)         A 21-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, palms and citrus, on a part of which six greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Shamseya Radhwan El-A’badleh.  In addition, three wells, two water pumps, an electricity generator, three pesticide pumps, and a two-room tin house was destroyed.

     10)       A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, on a part of which two greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Ibrahim Mousa El-Shae’r.  In addition, a water pump, a well, and a storage room of agricultural tools were destroyed.

     11)       A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, owned by Ayyoub El-A’badleh.

     12)       A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Ahmed El-A’badleh.

Friday, January 19, 2001 

 In the afternoon, at approximately 16:00 local time, an Israeli occupation force bulldozer and three tanks, crossed the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip in the village of Khoza’a, to the east of Khan Yunis.  They started to raze areas of agricultural land planted with wheat and olives, adjacent to the border in Khoza’a.  This action lasted until 21:00 local time, during which the Israeli occupation forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers to terrify them and driving them away from the affected areas.  Because of the dangerous situation there, farmers and PCHR’s staff could not reach the area on the same day.

Saturday, January 20, 2001 

 The Israeli occupation forces razed more areas of agricultural land in the village of Al-Fokhari, adjacent to the border, to the east of Khan Yunis.  They razed a three-donum area planted with almonds, owned by Salem Abu Neisa.

Sunday, January 21, 2001 

 In the morning, the Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land in the village of Khoza’a adjacent to the borderline.  This action affected the following areas:

       1)         A ten-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat, owned by Fawaz Ibrahim Al-Najjar.

       2)         A 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and barley, owned by Khalil Khalil Abu Rouk.

       3)         A 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and barley, owned by Suleiman Abu Rouk and brothers.

       4)         A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Hussein Suleiman Abu Rouk.

       5)         A 30-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, wheat, and barley, owned by Abdel-Rahman Mousa Qudeih, Shehda Mahmoud Qudeih, Ayman Suleimabn Qudeih and Mohammed Rezeq Qudeih.

       6)         A bee farm, consisting of 200 hives, owned by a member of the Al-Zaqzouq family.

Sunday, January 28, 2001 

 In the morning, a bulldozer of the Israeli occupation forces started to raze areas of agricultural land in the area to the south of Khan Yunis.  This action, which lasted until 20:00 local time, included razing:

       1)         A three-donum area of agricultural land, on a part of which two greenhouses planted with vegetables stood.  The remainder was planted with olives and palms owned by Abed Hafezh Al-Najjar.

       2)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Ramadhan Hafezh Al-Najjar.

       3)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Khader Hafezh Al-Najjar.

       4)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Abdel-Mou’ti Ramadhan Hafezh Al-Najjar.

Monday, January 29, 2001 

 In the afternoon, at approximately 13:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land in the south of Khan Yunis, adjacent to Morag settlement.  PCHR”s field officer in Khan Yunis reported that these forces opened fire on anyone attempting to reach the affected area, and that a muddy road Palestinian farmers used to use to reach their farms was closed off.  PCHR’s field officer added that the Israeli occupation forces razed:

       1)         A 17.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Ahmed and Mohammed Hammouda Al-Masri.

       2)         A 15-donum area of unplanted agricultural land owned by Salim Al-Najjar.

       3)         A one-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and olives owned by Ahmed Hamdan Al-Masri.

Tuesday, January 30, 2001

 In the morning, the Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land in Al-Mawasi (agricultural) area of Al-Qarara, to the north of Khan Yunis.  They razed areas of agricultural land near Tal Qatif settlement to the east of the coastal road.  PCHR’s field officer in the middle area reported that this action lasted until the morning of the following day and included:

       1)         A 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, palms, and citrus owned by Omar Ahmed Al-A’badleh.  In addition, an agricultural pool, a well, and a water pump were destroyed.

       2)         An eight-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat, figs, and grapes owned by Mousa Ahmed El-Astal.

       3)         A 12-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and palms owned by Sha’ban Radhwan Al-A’badleh.

       4)         A nine-donum area of agricultural land planted with figs and grapes owned by Qassed Mohammed El-Astal.

Thursday, February 1, 2001

 At approximately 6:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze areas of agricultural land in Gizan Al-Najjar area, in the south of Khan Yunis and to the west of Morag settlement.  They razed a seven-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and owned by lawyer Ibrahim El-Saqqa.

Thursday, February 8, 2001

 The Israeli forces ordered 22 Palestinian families to leave their houses in the Khan Yunis Al-Mawasi (agricultural) area, under the control of these forces.  These oral notifications are an initial step toward shelling the houses and leveling agricultural areas in the area of Tal Reidan, adjacent to Gush Qatif settlement block.  It is clear that the Israeli occupation forces intend to expell Palestinian residents of the area in order to pave the way for its annexation to Jewish settlements. 

 PCHR is representing the Palestinian citizens in their challenge of the evacuation.  PCHR’s lawyers have commenced legal procedures with the legal advisor of the Israeli occupation forces demanding a stop to the evacuations.  PCHR has not yet received a response.  PCHR also plans to challenge the notices in the Israeli High Court.  Although these houses were not demolished after the notice expired on February 11, 2001, the area continues to be threatened by the Israeli occupation forces.  

The Middle Area

 Wednesday, January 17, 2001

 In the morning, at approximately 7:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land in the area of Al-Mawasi in Deir El-Balah, continuing an operation they had started on January 15, 2001.  PCHR’s field officer in the middle area reported that the Israeli occupation forces are establishing a new settlement road in the area.  The razing, which lasted until 17:00 local time, included:

       1)         A seven-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, palms, and guavas, owned by Salim Abdel-Mo’ti El-Salqawi. 

       2)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and guavas, owned by Ayyoub El-Abadleh.

       3)         A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and guavas, owned by Radhwan Mustafa El-Abadleh.

       4)         A ten-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, palms and guavas, owned by Abdel-Hakim Mustafa El-Abadleh.

       5)         A two-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Ahmed El-Abadleh.

       6)         A ten-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and guavas, and on a part of which greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Abdel-Latif El-Abadleh.

       7)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and guavas, owned by Akram El-Abadleh.

       8)         A 20-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and guavas, and on a part of which greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Abdel-Hamid El-Abadleh.  In addition, an agricultural pool and an irrigation pump were destroyed.

Friday, January 19, 2001 

 From midnight until 4:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces razed areas of agricultural land to the northeast of Kfar Darom settlement in the middle area of the Gaza Strip.  The Israeli occupation forces razed:

       1)         A 20-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms, and on a part of which ten greenhouses planted with vegetables stood.  It is owned by Ahmed Khalil Abu Samra.  In addition, a water motor, two pesticide pumps and an irrigation network were destroyed.

       2)         A six-donum area of agricultural land, on which five greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and the remainder of which was planted with olives and palms, owned by Jaber Mohammed Abu Mosabbeh.

       3)         A five-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and on which three greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Hisham Abu Samra.  In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.

 PCHR field officer in the middle area reported that bulldozers of the Israeli occupation forces destroyed a water line, which provided the area with drinking water.  They also destroyed electricity towers, cutting electricity from a number of houses.

Thursday, January 18 – Monday, January 22, 2001

The Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land in the Al-Mawasi area in Deir El-Balah.  Such razing lasted up to January 22, 2001 and extended to include areas in Al-Qarara in the north of Khan Yunis.  The Israeli occupation forces razed:

       1)         A seven-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, palms and guavas, owned by Salim Abdel-Mou’ti El-Salqawi.

       2)         A six-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, palms, figs and mangos, owned by Akram and Abdel-Hamid Humeid El-A’badleh.  In addition, a water pump, a well and an irrigation network were destroyed.

       3)         An eight-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, citrus and mangos owned by Abdel-Mone’m and Abdel-A’zhim Humeid El-A’badleh.  In addition, a water pump, a storage room of agricultural tools, an agricultural pool, and an irrigation network were destroyed.

Monday, February 12, 2001

 At approximately 2:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze more areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolish Palestinian houses to the south of Kfar Darom settlement in the middle region of the Gaza Strip.  The affected area is 600m south of the settlement and 200m west of Salah El-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip).  PCHR’s field officer in the middle area reported that the Israeli forces:

       1)         Razed an eight-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Farouq and Majed Mohammed El-Ja’farawi, and destroyed a well, a water motor and an irrigation network.

       2)         Demolished a 150-square-meter, one-story house, in which nine people used to live, located on the aforementioned leveled tract of land, owned by Salman Abed Rabbo Al-O’mour, who oversees the land.  Furniture of the house was destroyed and an animal farm was demolished.

Wednesday, February 14, 2001

 At approximately 2:00 local time, the Israeli forces razed a two-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Ahmed Khalil Abu Samra and located to the northeast of Kfar Darom settlement.  The forces also demolished a 120-square-meter house, the aforementioned resident used as an agricultural store.  It is worth mentioning that the Israeli occupation forces razed approximately 20 donums of agricultural land owned by the same resident over the course of the past weeks.

Gaza

 Thursday, January 18, 2001

 In the evening, at approximately 6:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces demolished a 330-square-meter copper foundry used in manufacturing domestic sewage piping, in the area of Al-Mentar to the east of Gaza City.  It was owned by Samir Sae’id Frawana.  They also demolished a house for the factory’s laborers.  The owner of the factory said that his factory, with all its machines and raw materials, was completely demolished.  The Israeli occupation forces also demolished a 331-square-meter building, about 1000m to the northeast of Al-Mentar (Karni) Outlet, to the east of Gaza City, owned by Hamdi Ahmed Salem Al-Ghafir.   

Friday, January 26, 2001

 In the morning, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze areas of agricultural land in Sheikh E’jlin area in Gaza City, 700 meters to the north of Netzarim settlement.  These forces:

       1)         Razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with figs, grapes, and vegetables owned by Abdel-Razeq Yousef Shamallakh.

       2)         Demolished a 50-square-meter, two-story building on the mentioned razed land, whose first floor contained a well and a store of agricultural tools, and whose second floor was a summer resort for the family.

       3)         Razed a 40-donum area of agricultural land planted with figs and grapes, owned by Maher Ismail Shamallakh.  In addition, an irrigation network was destroyed.  It is worth mentioning that on January 20, 2001, the Israeli occupation forces razed a 30-donum area of agricultural land planted with grapes, figs, and vegetables owned by the same citizen.

 In his testimony to PCHR, one of the owners of the razed areas said that they were not able to reach their farms because the Israeli occupation forces were shooting at everybody they saw in the area.  He added that he went to his land in the morning, when some other farmers where on nearby farms, but Israeli occupation soldiers suddenly opened fire on them.  They all escaped and no injuries were reported.  It appears that the Israeli occupation forces started to raze these areas, after they opened fire on the Palestinian farmers, in order to drive them away from the area.

Tuesday, January 30, 2001

 At night, at approximately 23:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze more areas of agricultural land and demolish civilian facilities to the east of Gaza City on both sides of the road between Al-Shuhada’ (Netzarim) junction and Al-Mentar (Karni) Outlet.  PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that this action was resumed on Wednesday, January 31, 2001.  The Israeli occupation forces are still closing the area.  According to initial information that was available to PCHR, this particular action included the following:

       1)         Demolishing the first floor of Safadi concrete factory, while the second floor continued to stand on concrete poles.  All offices on the first floor were destroyed, and a guardroom, the fence of the factory, and compounds of construction raw materials were demolished.

       2)         Demolishing an iron factory owned by Fuad Nemer El-Samneh.  The factory was established 10 months ago before it was demolished and its machines destroyed.  In his testimony to PCHR, El-Samneh estimated losses at about US$ 2 million.

       3)         Demolishing all buildings of Abu Jebbeh fuel station.  Only machines of fuel provision remained untouched.

       4)          Destroying electricity towers one kilometer along the road.

       5)         Demolishing the fence of Sabra gas station, owned by Mohammed Sabra.  In addition, offices annexed to the station were also demolished.

Saturday, February 3, 2001

 At approximately 22:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze areas of agricultural land and demolish houses to the east of the road between Al-Shuhada’ (Netzarim) junction, to the south of Gaza City and Al-Mentar (Karni) Outlet, and to the east of Gaza City.  This particular action, which lasted until 6:00 local time on the following day, included the levelling and demolition of:

       1)         A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which three people lived, owned by Taleb Hammad Nemer Thabet.

       2)         Another house also owned by Taleb Hammad Nemer Thabet, in which his second wife and their children lived.

       3)         A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which seven people lived, owned by Wahid Hammad Nemer Thabet.

       4)         A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which eight people lived, owned by Jehad Hammad Nemer Thabet.

       5)         A seven-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, owned by Zuhair A’ashour.

       6)         A five-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, owned by Talal A’ashour.

       7)         A five-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, owned by Hammad A’ashour.

       8)         A four -donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Salem Abu E’id.

 At approximately 23:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze areas of agricultural land as well as demolish houses and civilian facilities on the eastern side of Salah El-Din Street.  This location is approximately 850m north of Al-Shuhada’ (Netzarim) junction in areas under Palestinian National Authority control to the south of Gaza City.  This particular action, which lasted until 3:00 local time on the following day, included the demolishing and razing of:

       1)         A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 15 people lived, owned by Fadhel Rashed Taleb Haraz.  In addition, three 150-square-meter tin stores were destroyed.  House furniture and agricultural machines in stores were destroyed.  Domesticated birds were also killed.

       2)         A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 14 people lived, owned by Atta Salem Abu Zhaher.

       3)         Part of a brick factory, owned by Ossama Hassan El-Khodhari.  The Israeli occupation forces destroyed:

                              a)            An electricity generator and an electricity network.

                              b)           Raw materials.

                              c)            Industrialised, ready-for-sale products.

                              d)           The fence of the factory.

                              e)            A number of machines.

                               f)            Portions of asbestos roofs.

       4)         Part of an electrical tool factory, owned by Wasim Othman Al-Khozendar.  The Israeli occupation forces destroyed:

                              a)            A guardroom.

                              b)           The eastern and southern facades and their windows.

      PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the Israeli occupation forces transferred a large gas tank from previously demolished Sabra gas station, approximately 300m from the factory, to the affected factory.

       5)         A five-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, owned by the heirs of Ma’rouf Shurrab.  In addition, 100 bee cells, owned by Maher Ibrahim Abu Leila, were destroyed.

       6)         A 120-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, owned by Taleb Abdullah Haraz.  In addition, three vegetable greenhouses spanning three donums of land, a well, a store of agricultural tools, water pumps, an agricultural pool, and an irrigation network were also all destroyed.

Tuesday and Wednesday, February 6 and 7, 2001

 The Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land 1000m to the north of Al-Shuhada’ (Netzarim) junction, in areas under the control of the Palestinian National Authority.  The affected areas are between Salah El-Din Street and the road between Al-Shuhada’ (Netzarim) junction and Al-Mentar (Karni) Outlet.  The razing started at 11:00 local time and ended at 17:00 only to be resumed on the following day.  The Israeli occupation forces razed:

       1)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat, owned by Hashem El-Hato.

       2)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, owned by Hassan Yassin.

       3)         A four-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and figs, owned by Hassan El-A’marin, part of a previously-razed 20-donum area, also owned by him.

The Northern Area:

 Friday, January 17, 2001 

 The Israeli occupation forces razed more areas of agricultural land to the north of Dogit settlement in the north of Beit Lahia.  They razed and demolished:

       1)         A three-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and olives, on a part of which a store of heavy machines stood, owned by Salem Ahmed Abu Dalal.

       2)         A 30-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, on a part of which a factory of bricks stood, owned by Mahmoud Taleb Haraz.

       3)         A 1.5-donum bird farm, owned by Sami Taleb Haraz.

       4)         A 200-square-meter, two-story house, used as a summer resort, owned by Samir Taha El-Hanafi Sobeh.

Saturday, January 27, 2001

In the morning, at approximately 9:30 local time, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze more areas of agricultural land to the north of Dogit settlement in the north of Beit Lahia.  PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the Israeli occupation forces:

       1)         Razed an eight-donum area of agricultural land on which greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by Salameh Hammouda Abu Halima.

       2)         Demolished a 120-square-meter, two-story building, whose first floor contained a well and a store of agricultural tools, and whose second floor was a summer resort for the family of Ibrahim Mousa Al-Moghrabi.  The demolished building stood on an area of land owned by Al-Moghrabi, which was razed about two weeks ago.

       3)         Demolished an 80-square-meter, one-story building that contained a well and a store of agricultural tools, owned by Mohammed, Zeid, and Ibrahim Daoud Hamada.

       4)         Started to raze a 55-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, guavas, olives, and citrus, owned by Nazhir Abdullah Abdel-Hadi Mohanna.  They also uprooted cypress trees surrounding this tract of land.

Sunday, January 28, 2001

 The Israeli occupation forces resumed razing areas of agricultural land, which started on the previous day, to the north of Dogit settlement in Beit Lahia.  This time they included areas of agricultural land to the south of Elli Sinai settlement.  These forces razed areas of agricultural land between the mentioned settlements as follows:

       1)         Concluded razing a tract of land owned by Nazhir Abdullah Abdel-Hadi Mohanna.  PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that a 270-square-meter, three-story building, which contained a well and a summer resort, standing on the razed tract of land, was threatened with being demolished.

       2)         A 19-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables, owned by Mohammed, Zeid, and Ibrahim Daoud Hamada.

The following table shows the areas and locations of land swept by the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, September 28 – December 18, 2000: