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Uprooting Palestinian Trees
And Leveling Agricultural Land
The Eight Report on Israeli Land Sweeping and Demolition of Palestinian Buildings and Facilities in the Gaza Strip
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Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network
E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org
web-Page: www.pchrgaza.org
For the 21st consecutive month, Israeli forces have continued to destroy civilian property, agricultural land and houses. According to PCHR’s documentation, in the period 1st April – 30th June 2002, Israeli forces razed 1052 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished 68 houses in the Gaza Strip, rendering 675 people homeless. They also destroyed dozens of irrigation networks and water pumps that cultivated agricultural lands, as well as hundreds of beehives and farms.
From the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada until 30th June 2002, Israeli forces demolished 668 Palestinian houses, 585 completely and 102 partially in the Gaza Strip, rendering 5,725 people homeless. They have also razed 15,052 donums of land, about 12,834 of which were agricultural lands, and about 2,218 were wooded land. The areas of agricultural land razed by Israeli forces constitute 9.1% of the total area of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip (165,720 donums).
The destruction of hundreds of Palestinian civilian facilities, including houses, factories, workshops, agricultural land and farms, has inflicted large financial losses, which have affected, and will continue to affect, the economic, social, civil and political rights of Palestinians.
Land leveling and property destruction carried out by the Israeli forces categorically violate the Fourth Geneva Convention. Land leveling and property destruction carried out largely by Israeli forces are classified as collective penalties and measures of intimidation and terrorism against civilians, which are prohibited by Article 33 of the Convention that 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.”[1] Land leveling and house demolitions have created wide open areas along the border with Israel, on both sides of bypass roads and near Israeli settlements and military locations, dozens or even as much as hundreds of meters wide. This Israeli practice of creating ‘buffer zones’ is aimed at expelling the Palestinian people from these areas with the purpose of annexing the area and eventually building new illegal Jewish settlements or extending the existing illegal settlements.
Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention provides that “any destruction of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or other public authorities, or social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.” Article 147 of the Connection considers “extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly” as a grave breach of the Convention and thus constitute a war crime.
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 does not give 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…”
The UN Committee against Torture considered that the policies of closure and house demolition carried out by Israeli forces violate article 16 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and can never be justified.[2]
Israel always justifies land leveling and house demolition as military necessities, which in fact are never substantiated. According to PCHR’s investigations, land leveling and house demolition are not military necessities, rather they are penal measures against Palestinian civilians, that seek to seize more Palestinian land and create buffer zones along border area and near settlements and bypass roads.
Land leveling and house demolition carried out by Israeli forces violates international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Israeli forces often raze agricultural land and demolish houses without warning and without granting Palestinian owners enough time to appeal against these actions. In the few cases where owners of houses were given short periods of time, PCHR and other human rights organization appealed against such actions. However, these appeals were rarely taken into consideration by the Israeli army, and failed to provide full protection for house owners against house demolition carried out by Israel.
In the majority of cases, Israeli forces impose an atmosphere of terror during land leveling and house and civilian facility demolition. Israeli forces, reinforced with tanks and bulldozers, regularly encroach into targeted areas at night. They fire flash bombs and live ammunition, in an apparent attempt to call on civilians to evacuate the area. They then raze land or demolish houses, leaving civilians with no choice but to leave the area and abandon their property.
Saturday, 6thApril 2002
At approximately 06:00, three Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 150m into al-Ja’farawi area, east of Deir al-Balah. A tract of agricultural land was razed and two houses were demolished. Below is the list of damage inflicted by Israeli forces:
They a five-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, olives and guavas, and destroyed a greenhouse, an agricultural pool, a well, two stores and a water pump, owned by Salama Nasrallah Abu ‘Amra.
-They demolished a 130 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which three families comprised of 15 people used to live, owned by Fathi Salama Abu ‘Amra.
-They demolished a 130 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which three families comprised of 13 people used to live, owned by Salama Nasrallah Abu ‘Amra.
Sunday, 7th April 2002
At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces in the vicinity of the “Dogit” settlement, north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire on Palestinian houses and farms in al-Sayafa area, which has been under strict military siege for the past few months. Several hours later, Israeli forces ordered through loudspeakers for the 69 residents in the vicinity to gather in a specified yard near the entrance to the area, and they proceeded to detained them in cold weather until 09:00 the next day. PCHR’s field worker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that Israeli forces searched and damaged houses. They also razed around 70 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
- They razed a 35 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and fruits and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fares Jaber al-Ghoul.
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and guavas and destroyed an irrigation network and agricultural equipment owned by Mousa Mahmoud Jaber al-Ghoul.
- They razed a 5 donum area of agricultural land planted with fruits and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Jaber Mahmoud Jaber al-Ghoul.
- They razed a 7 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and guavas and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Muyassar Mahmoud Jaber al-Ghoul.
- They severely damaged a 14 donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and corns and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed ‘Abdelhai Ma’ruf.
- They destroyed a well owned by Ya’qub Mahdi.
- They destroyed a well owned by Yousef al-Shanti.
Tuesday, 9th April 2002
At approximately 01:00, seven Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 100m into al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border in the south of Rafah, under the cover of intense shelling. The incursion continued until 03:00, during which a Palestinian civilian, Helmi Mansour al-Sha’er, 44, was wounded by piece shrapnel in the face. Israeli forces demolished a 120 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 persons used to live, owned by Mohammed Hassan Abu Shawish. They destroyed electricity and water networks in the neighborhood. They also raided a number of houses.
At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces in a tank in the “Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza City, fired, for no apparent reason, an artillery shell at Palestinian houses in al-Mughraqa area, approximately 400m away. A water pump, owned by Nasser Hassan ‘Azzam and his brothers, was destroyed, cutting the water supply to their houses.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved more than 1,500m into the northeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. Four bulldozers escorted by tanks razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land and established sand barriers. The operation continued until 03:00 the following day. The following are details of the destruction by Israeli forces of Palestinian agricultural lands:
- They razed a 15 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed Yousef Shurrab.
- They razed a 15 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fadel Yousef Shurrab.
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Yousef Shurrab.
- They razed a 15 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Walid Yousef Shurrab.
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hassan Yousef Shurrab.
- They razed a 5 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Eihab Khaled Shurrab.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by the heirs of Ahmed Helmi al-Basha.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Yousef Mohammed al-Safadi.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Abu Khaled al-Nakhala.
- They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Ahmed Jarada.
- They destroyed 250 beehives owned by Tawfiq ‘Abdulrahman Wahdan.
- They destroyed 50 beehives owned by Eyad ‘Abdullah Wahdan.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by an armored military bulldozer moved approximately 500m into Palestinian areas to the south of "Kfar Darom" settlement, east of Deir al-Balah. The bulldozer demolished a 250 square-meter uninhabited house owned by 'Abed Mohammed Ja'farawi.
Saturday, 13th April 2002
At approximately 09:00, two bulldozers and five tanks belonging to Israel started razing large plots of Palestinian agricultural land in the northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip:
- They razed a 13 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ghaleb Mohammed Zimmu, the heirs of ‘Ali ‘Abdul Rahman Zimmu and Salim Ragheb Zimmu.
- They razed a 15 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Sa’id and Salah Jamil al-Shawa.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned Ibrahim, Jaber and ‘Abdul Wahab Hassan al-Basiuni.
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Khader Basiuni al-Basiuni.
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abed Basiuni Mohammed al-Basiuni.
- They razed a 12 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Khalil Mohammed al-Basiuni.
- They razed a 1.5 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed Mohammed al-Za’anin.
- They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ibrahim Mohammed al-Za’anin.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Eid Mohammed al-Za’anin.
- They razed a 1.5 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Jamil Hassan al-Za’anin.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Bassam, Wissam and Ussama al-Za’anin.
- They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land planted with figs, grapes and fruits owned by Ibrahim Isma’il Abu Jarad.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with figs, grapes and fruits owned by Shawqi Mahmoud Abu ‘Oukal.
- They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land planted with figs, grapes and fruits owned by Suhaila Mohammed ‘Obeid.
At the same time, Israeli forces moved approximately 300m into the north of Beit Hanoun. They remained in the area until 05:00, during which time they razed 20 donums of agricultural land part, of a 150 donum area of land owned by Yousef ‘Abdul Nabi Abu ‘Eida, 30 donums of which had already been razed.
Sunday, 14th April 2002
At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces, reinforced with two bulldozers, moved approximately 100m into al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, under the cover of intense shelling. ‘Emad Subhi Abu Ne’ma, 23, was wounded by a bullet to the right hand. A PCHR field worker reported that the Israeli bulldozers leveled a house that was demolished in the previous week, owned by Mohammed Abu Shawish, damaging an adjacent house owned by Mahdi Siam. They also demolished a fence of on a tract of land owned by Hani Abu Hani.
Thursday, 18th April 2002
At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved approximately 300m into Palestinian controlled areas west of the “Morag” settlement in the south of Khan Yunis in the Gaza strip. During a two hour incursion, they raided the house of Ahmed Juhaini al-Sawarka. After leaving the house, they razed a 2 donum area of arable land, owned by Darwish al-Masri, and uprooted 20 trees in the area. They also destroyed an irrigation network owned by al-Sawarka. Israeli forces moved into the area again at approximately 10:00 the following day. They once again raided al-Swarka’s house, terrifying his children.
Friday, 19th April 2002
At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces in the vicinity of the “Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza, shelled Palestinian houses in al-Mughraqa area. Three houses were damaged:
Two artillery shells hit a 250 square-meter, two story house, in which five families totaling 42 people live, owned by Mahmoud Mustafa al-Qassas, burning a room, cracking walls and destroying a water tank.
An artillery shell hit a 15 square-meter, partially built house, owned by Salim Hindi Abu Shalluf, leaving holes in the roof and walls.
An artillery shell hit a 120 square-meter, one story house, in which 13 people live, owned by Selmi ‘Oudeh Abu Shalluf, damaging its façades and its furniture and wounding the owner’s four children.
At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces raided the house of Mahmoud Khalil Abu Samra, only 20m north of the “Kfar Darom” settlement in the east of Deir al-Balah. They promptly detained Abu Samra, his wife and his two year-old child in one of the rooms. Some Israeli soldiers took positions on the roof of the house, while others remained inside it. They remained there for two days, keeping all the families actions under strict observation. Much of the furniture in the house was damaged by the incursion. Before raiding the house, Israeli forces demolished a 2 donum chicken farm, owned by Fawzi Khalil Abu Samra, only 10m away from the house.
Saturday, 20th April 2002
At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces positioned near Salah al-Din Gate at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, shelled nearby Palestinian houses. In the meantime, Israeli bulldozers leveled a number of houses and shops that they had already demolished. The shelling continued until 20:00, during which time 14 Palestinians, the majority of whom were children, were wounded. A number of Palestinian houses in Block O area, Qeshta neighborhood and ‘Omar Ben al-Khattab Street were also severely damaged. Residents of Rafah thought that a wide scale Israeli incursion must have started owing to the continued period of shelling. Many people fled their houses during the bombardment. Israeli forces also demolished a 350 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which two families totaling six people lived, owned by Fatema Mohammed Hassan al-Kronb.
Sunday, 21st April 2002
At approximately 10:15, Israeli forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and two bulldozers, moved into the Um al-Silk area in the south of Khan Yunis. They razed 20 donums of Palestinian land:
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land growing potatoes and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed Suleiman al-Sha’er.
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land growing peppers and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hamdi Hussein al-Sha’er.
Israeli forces also uprooted 20 olive trees and demolished a 10 meter-long fence on a tract of agricultural land owned by Mohammed Mohmoud Zo’rob. In addition they detained and proceeded to interrogate four laborers for four hours.
Monday, 22nd April 2002
At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the south of Khan Yunis, west of the “Morag” settlement:
- They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land growing potatoes and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hamdan Madhi.
- They razed a 5 donum area of agricultural land growing potatoes and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Suleiman Mohammed Madhi.
- They razed a 10 donum area of agricultural land growing potatoes and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Samir Isma’il al-Sha’er.
Tuesday, 23rd April 2002
At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 1km into the east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, under the cover of heavy artillery shelling. They razed large areas of farm land and some civilian buildings:
- They razed a 5 donum area of Palestinian arable land and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hammad ‘Awad Abu Meghasib.
- They razed a 5 donum area of Palestinian arable land and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Khaled ‘Awad Abu Meghasib.
- They razed a 3 donum area of Palestinian arable land planted with okras and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mousa ‘Abdel Karim Abu Meghasib. They seized his house and positionioned themselves on his roof until 16:00. They also killed livestock in a farm adjacent to the house.
- They razed a 3 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land growing corn and vegetable and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ziad ‘Awad Abu Meghasib.
- They razed a 1 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hammad ‘Awad Abu Meghasib.
- They razed a 5 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land growing corn and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ibrahim Salama Abu Jureiban. They razed a 3 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land growing corn and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Yahia Mousa Abu Jureiban.
- They razed a 3 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land planted with citrus and palms and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fa’eq Hussein Abu Meghasib. They also destroyed two 30 litre water tanks.
- They razed a 13 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land planted with almonds, olives and wheat and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abdul Hadi and Salim Abu Meghasib. They also damaged his tractor.
- They razed a 2.5 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Na’ima Hussein Abu Meghasib.
- They razed a 4 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land growing olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed ‘Abdul Majid Abu Meghasib. They also demolished a 60 meter-square house that served as a summer resort.
- They destroyed a road, 2km long and 2m wide.
- They destroyed a 30 meter long water line.
Thursday, 25th April 2002
At approximately 01:00, an Israeli infantry unit, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 1000m into Palestinian areas in the east of Deir al-Balah. Three members of the Palestinian National Security Force were sleeping under a parasol in a nearby farm, owned by Maher al-‘Akluk. The three security men were:
Ibrahim Mustafa 'Aabdin, 53;
‘Omar Suleiman Shehada, 22; and
Shadi Ibrahim Meziad, 20.
Almost immediately Israeli forces demolished the eastern fence of the farm, under the cover of shelling. The three security men and the owner of the farm and his son tried to leave the area, but Israeli forces fired at them. ‘Aabdin was wounded by a live bullet to the shoulder, Abu Shehada was wounded by a live bullet in the jaw, and Meziad was wounded by a live bullet to the right knee. The owner of the farm, his son, Shehada and Meziad were able to escape, while ‘Aabdin remained in the place. An Israeli tank moved towards him and ran over him, killing him. PCHR’s field worker in the central Gaza Strip reported that medical sources asserted that a tank ran over ‘Aabdin and that he only received a live bullet in the shoulder. Equipment of the farm was destroyed and all the livestock were killed by Israeli shelling. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at 03:00. They claimed that four Palestinians attempted to enter “Kfar Darom” settlement, east of Deir al-Balah, through greenhouses, and that Israeli forces killed them and were in possession of the bodies. Contrary to normal procedure, however, the Palestinian Authority was not informed that any Palestinian bodies were in possession of the Israeli army. According to eyewitnesses, the area did not witness any shooting during or before the Israeli incursion.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces in a military location near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, shelled Palestinian houses near the gate. The shelling continued sporadically until 05:00. Electricity was cut from the area, as an electricity transmitter was damaged by Israeli shelling. A number of houses, whose residents had already left due to repeated Israeli shelling, were damaged further.
Also that morning, Israeli forces razed a 10 donum area of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives, palms and peppers, owned by Mohammed Saleh al-Seiqali and brothers. The land is located near the road between “Morag” settlement and the “Gush Qatif” settlement bloc, south of Khan Yunis. On the following day, Israeli forces surrounded the land with barbed wire, apparently to annex it to “Morag” settlement.
Tuesday, 30th April 2002
At approximately 21:00, Israeli tanks positioned at the Egyptian border fired at houses in the Block O region of Rafah refugee camp. One of the shells hit the house of Hani Abdel Jawad Hamza Abu Libda, setting it on fire. The house, which is 280 square meters and covered by an asbestos roof, was damaged; the room of Abu Libda's sister, Fayza, 36, caught fire. Fayza suffered burns in the arm and was taken to Yusuf Najjar hospital in Rafah for treatment before being transferred to Nasser Hopistal in Khan Yunis, where she is still being treated. Abu Libda was injured when trying to put out the fire.
At 23:00, after an explosion in an Israeli tank near the Rafah border crossing, Israeli forces moved approximately 300m into the al-Shouka neighborhood, approximately 500m away from the border, in the east of Rafah, under the cover of intense shelling. Four artillery shells hit two houses of the Shalluf family, killing 2 year-old Huda Mohammed Mus’ad Shalluf, and causing severe damage. In addition, seven members of the family were wounded and another member of the family, Samir Hamdan Shalluf, 30, was arrested. After Israeli forces withdrew the body of 23-year-old ‘Abdullah Hamdan Shalluf was discovered on the street, deaf and dumb. The body was distorted as Israeli tanks had run over him. Two houses were damaged:
Two artillery shells hit a 200 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 13 persons live, owned by Khalil Salem Zeidan Shalluf, destroying two rooms and cracking the kitchen walls.
Two artillery shells hit a 300 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which four persons live, owned by Mohammed Mus’ad Shalluf, killing his daughter, destroying two rooms and cracking walls.
Wednesday, 1st May 2002
In the morning, Israeli forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300m into Block “J” in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Israeli forces raided two houses and arrested three Palestinians. They also mounted the roofs of both the two houses and opened fire indiscriminately, killing two Palestinian civilians and wounding three.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:00, Israeli soldiers raided a 200 square-meter, two-story house owned by Faluji ‘Oudeh Faluji al-Agha and took position on its roof. An Israeli bulldozer destroyed one of the house’s pillars. At the same time, other Israeli soldiers raided a 140 square-meter, three-story house, owned by Sa’id Mohammed Hammad Barhum, and detained its 22 residents in its rooms. They also arrested three members of the family. Israeli snipers mounted the roofs of the two houses and opened fire, killing two Palestinian civilians.
Friday, 3rd May 2002
At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved approximately 100m into Palestinian agricultural land, north of “Kfar Darom” settlement in the east of Deir al-Balah. They razed a total of 25 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
- A 3 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, olives and citrus owned by Mahmoud Khalil Abu Samra was razed.
- A 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives owned by Hussam Mohammed Abu Samra was razed.
- A 2 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives owned by Kamel Radwan Abu Sha’ban was razed.
- A 2 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms, olives and citrus owned by Mohammed Radwan Abu Sha’ban was razed.
- A 6 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives owned by Mohammed Ahmed Abu Samra was razed.
- A 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives owned by Salwa Khalil Abu Samra was razed.
- A 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives was razed and its fence owned by Zhafer al-Shawa was demolished.
Saturday, 4th May 2002
At approximately 24:00, Israeli forces in the vicinity of “Kfar Darom” settlement, east of Deir al-Balah, fired fletechete shells (shells that contain thousands of dart-like objects) at Palestinian houses, 100m northeast of the settlement. Three shells fell near a 200 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 18 persons live, owned by Kamel Mahmoud Hussein al-Louh. The house was severely damaged. Israeli soldiers proceeded to raid and search the house. According to PCHR’s documentation, more than 10 Palestinians were killed by these shells.
Sunday, 5th May 2002
At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land north of the road leading to the “Gush Qatif” settlement block, south of Dir al-Balah:
- They razed a 20 donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas owned by Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman al-Bashiti.
- They razed a 20 donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas owned by ‘Abdul Qader Nazhir Abu Houli.
Tuesday, 7th May 2002
At approximately 01:00, nine heavy Israeli military vehicles moved approximately 100m into al-Sha’er neighborhood, adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. They immediately opened fire on Palestinian houses. Residents of these houses rushed out searching for more secure hiding places. A Palestinian civilian, Jamal Sami Salem al-Sha’er, 17, was wounded by a live bullet in the neck while trying to mount the roof of his neighbor’s house. Soon, his brother Salem, 15, moved towards him to offer him help, but Israeli forces also fired at him wounding him with a live bullet in the back. The two brothers bled for more than an hour as ambulances were prevented from reaching them due to intense Israeli gunfire. The two brothers were then evacuated to hospital, but one, Jamal, was already dead and the other one was in a critical condition. During the incursion that continued until 07:30, Israeli forces partially demolished three houses and a factory:
- They demolished a bedroom, a bathroom and a pillar of a 200 square-meter house, in which 12 persons live, owned by Sami Salem Mallahi al-Sha’er, father of the aforementioned victims.
- They demolished three rooms of a 200 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which two families comprised of 12 persons live, owned by Fatema Isma’il Ibrahim ‘Aabdin.
- They demolished external walls of a 160-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 15 persons live, owned by Fu’ad Mansour Mohammed al-Sha’er.
- They demolished the walls and roof of a 400-square meter mosaic factory owned by Salah al-Din Mahmoud Jom’a.
- In addition, five other houses were damaged.
At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. An artillery shell hit the house of Mahmoud Hamattu Huneidiq and wounded his mentally handicapped son Akram, 16, with shrapnel in the ears and hands. In addition, water tanks on the neighbouring houses were damaged.
Thursday, 9th May 2002
At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, under cover of intense shelling, moved approximately 200m into al-Brazil neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. The incursion continued until 07:30, during which Israeli forces partially demolished three Palestinian houses and completed the demolition of two other houses that had been partially demolished on 2nd May:
- They demolished four rooms and a fence, uprooted eight olive tress and damaged electrical sets in a 200 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house in which 13 people live, owned by Fatema Khalil Ibrahim al-Natur.
- They demolished a room, the kitchen and the fence of a 200 square-meter, two-story house in which 12 people live, owned by Nazhmi Mahmoud Salama al-Houli.
- They demolished a room and the kitchen of a 200 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house in which eight people live, owned by Khalil Yousef al-‘Ennabi.
- They completed the demolition of a 250 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house in which 18 people used to live, owned by Mohammed and Ziad Hussein Ahmed ‘Arafat.
- They completed the demolition of a 250 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house in which four people used to live, owned by Yousef Mohammed Dhib Abu Jarad.
A PCHR field worker in Rafah reported that fire broke out due to Israeli shelling near a house, terrifying residents. No casualties were reported.
Sunday, 12th May 2002
In the afternoon, Israeli forces moved approximately 400m into al-Qutbania area in the east of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza strip. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
- They razed a 6 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mohammed Mohammed Mahoud al-Masri and sons.
- They razed a 6 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abdul Rahman Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman Hweihi.
- They razed a 6 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Isma’il Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman Hweihi.
- They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman Hweihi.
- They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and olives owned by ‘Abdul Rahman Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad.
- They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mousa Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad.
- They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mohammed Mahmoud Mohammed Shabat.
- They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by ‘Oudeh Mohammed Mahmoud Shabat.
- They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Shehda Mustafa ‘Abdul Rahman Shabat.
- They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Isma’il Mustafa ‘Abdul Rahman Hamad.
A PCHR field worker reported that Israeli occupying forces damaged a 12 donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by the family of Hamad.
Monday, 13th May 2002
At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved approximately 200m into ‘Abasan village near the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Khan Yunis. They demolished a 1200 square-meter bird farm, owned by al-Wafa Company and managed by Majed Mahmoud Mansour Abu Samra. Losses were estimated at US$70,000.
Tuesday, 14th May 2002
At approximately 04:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles under cover of intense shelling moved approximately 300m into al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. During this incursion, which continued until 07:00, Israeli forces demolished one house and partially destroyed two others:
- They totally demolished a 150 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which seven people used to live, and uprooted 30 trees around the house, owned by Mahmoud Ahmed Hussein al-Sha’er.
- They partially demolished a 180 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which six people live, owned by Saleh Hussein Hassan al-Sha’er.
- They partially demolished a 140 square-meter, one-story house, in which 11 people live, owned by Mohammed
