Weekly Report

On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied

Palestinian Territories

27 March- 02 April 2003

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations

Affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists – Geneva

Member of the International Federation for Human Rights – Paris

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network

As the US-British War on Iraq Began, Israeli Human Rights Violations in the OPT Continued

10 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including two children, were killed by Israeli forces
Two of the victims bled to death
Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling
The Israeli retaliatory campaign continues against families of wanted Palestinians and those who allegedly have carried out armed attacks against Israeli targets
Over 1200 Palestinians have been detained
The severe siege of the OPT has continued

Introduction

Despite statements made by Israeli political and military officials that their occupying forces decreased their military operations, Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more illegal actions and human rights violations against Palestinian civilians and their property. This week, 27 March – 2 April 2003, 10 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including two children, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

On Wednesday, 2 April 2003, Israeli occupying forces killed 4 Palestinians, injured some others, destroyed 4 houses and severely damaged roads and public service supplies, when they invaded the al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods in Rafah. Three of the victims were killed by a missile fired by an Israeli combat helicopter. A number of roads and electricity supplies were severely damaged.

On Thursday, 27 March 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. An undercover unit of Israeli forces shot dead two members of the Palestinian National Security Forces. One of the victims bled to death. Three Palestinian civilians were also wounded by the Israeli gunfire. Israeli forces also raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians.

On the same day, Israeli occupying forces moved into Rafah. They demolished 4 Palestinian houses and razed areas of agricultural land. In addition, two Palestinian civilians were wounded by Israeli gunfire.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces moved into Palestinian areas. They raided houses and detained over 1200 Palestinians. On Wednesday, 2 April 2003, Israeli occupying forces invaded Tulkarm refugee camp. They imposed a curfew, raided houses and detained over 1200 Palestinians. The camp is still under curfew.

In an excessive use of lethal force, Israeli occupying forces shot dead 4 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. On Sunday, 30 March 2003, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian and arrested his 3 friends while they were hunting birds in the southeast of Gaza city. On Thursday, 27 March 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkram. They fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who were sitting near their houses, injuring one who bled to death. On Saturday, 29 March 2003, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian child in 'Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, when they fired at a number of children who threw stones. On Wednesday, 2 April 2003, 15-year-old 'Omar Mousa Ahmed Mutiar, from Qalandya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, died from an injury he sustained by Israeli occupying forces on Friday, 28 March 2003.

In violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits collective punishment, Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against families of Palestinians who have carried out attacks against Israeli targets in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and those wanted by Israeli forces. In this context, they destroyed 4 Palestinian houses in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A number of adjacent houses and civilian facilities were severely damaged.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a total siege on the OPT. They have isolated Palestinian communities from one another. They have partitioned the Gaza Strip into three separate zones and have restricted the movement of people and goods. They have also maintained curfews on some areas in the West Bank. Since Saturday, 15 March 2003, Israeli occupying authorities prevented Palestinians aged 16-35 from traveling abroad. Israeli occupying forces have also maintained a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip for several months, which has caused a deterioration of the living conditions of Palestinian civilians in the area.

The Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas

Thursday, 27 March 2003

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They opened fire in the area, wounding a Palestinian civilian, Rabi' Ibrahim al-Satari, 22, with shrapnel in the left hand. He lost two fingers. Then, the bulldozer demolished 4 Palestinian houses whose residents had already evacuated due to frequent Israeli shelling. The following homes were destroyed:

1. A 300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 3 families numbering 13 people used to live, owned by 'Abdul Hadi Hassan Saleh Hassan;

2. A 100-square-meter house, in which 4 people used to live, owned by Najeh 'Abdul Hadi Hassan Hassan;

3. A 150-square-meter house, in which 8 people used to live, owned by Jamal 'Abdul Qader Yousef Hassan; and

4. A 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which two families numbering 13 people used to live, owned by Fatema Khalil Ibrahim al-Natour.

At approximately 02:30, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces infiltrated the al-Zaytoun area in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Israeli soldiers moved onto farms and opened fire indiscriminately. When two members of the Palestinian National Security Forces left the site at which they were stationed to check what was going on, Israeli soldiers fired at them. One of the security men was instantly killed, while another bled to death. They were identified as:

1. Eihab Sa'di Mahmoud Jaras, 21, from al-Nasser neighborhood in Gaza city, shot by a live bullet that entered his chest and exited from his back;

2. Eyad Khalil Fayadh, 31, from Beit Hanoun, shot by a live bullet in the chest.

At the same time, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into the east of Beit Hanoun. Israeli soldiers raided and searched 3 Palestinian houses owned by Isma'il Jasser Fayadh, Yousef 'Abdul Qader Basiouni and Hassan Mohammed Nussair. They proceeded to arrest 3 residents of those houses, as follows:

1. Hassan Isma'il Jasser Fayadh, 23, a university student;

2. Mohammed Yousef 'Abdul Qader Basiouni, 20, a university student; and

3. Hamed Hassan Mahmoud Nussair, 32, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces.

During this incursion, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile and several live bullets at a number of Palestinian civilians and security men who gathered near a well that belongs to the Municipality of Beit Hanoun, located approximately 150m north of the affected area. The following three Palestinians were wounded:

1. Ahmed Mohammed al-Hinnawi, 25, from Jabalya, wounded by shrapnel in the left leg;

2. Mohammed Ibrahim Harb, 24, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza city, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg; and

3. Sa'di Khalil al-Za'anin, 50, from Beit Hanoun, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot.

At approximately 04:00, 50 Israeli soldiers moved into the Um al-Nasser area in northern Rafah, near the "Morag" settlement. They searched the area and called on residents using loudspeakers to leave their houses. Israeli soldiers were also firing in the area. Seven residents of the area left their houses. Immediately, Israeli soldiers handcuffed, blindfolded and took them to the "Morag" settlement. They were released at approximately 10:00 after having been interrogated.

At approximately 19:45, Israeli occupying forces north of al-Tuffah checkpoint, at the entrance of al-Mawasi area in the western part of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Khan Yunis refugee camp. The following three Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1. Mahmoud 'Ali Abu 'Obaida, 23, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head;

2. Mahdi Fu'ad al-Hamami, 20, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and

3. Ibrahim Yousef Abu Mukhaimar, 21, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. Without prior warning, Israeli soldiers fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who were sitting near their houses. One of those civilians, Mohammed 'Awadh Ghanem, 20, was wounded by two live bullets. Israeli soldiers pulled him away and left him bleeding near a military jeep. Another Palestinian civilian, Hazem Taleb Mohammed Abu D'iab, 26, stood at the door of his house to see what was going on. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with a live bullet in the chest. An ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society arrived in the area, but Israeli soldiers denied it access to the wounded for 20 minutes, during which time Ghanem died. He and D'iab were evacuated to hospital. According to medical sources, Ghanem was shot by two live bullets in the chest and the abdomen.

Friday, 28 March 2003

At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense gunfire, moved approximately 4km into Ma'an village, east of Khan Yunis. They destroyed a house belonging to the Abu al-Naja family (see the section on the retaliatory measures below). Two Palestinian civilians were wounded by the Israeli gunfire:

1. Suleiman Mohammed Suleiman Abu al-Naja, 18, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest; and

2. 'Adnan Suleiman Eslayeh, 35, wounded by shrapnel in the right foot.

Israeli soldiers also arrested 3 persons from the family of Abu al-Naja, but released them a few hours later.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including two bulldozers, and covered by intense gunfire, moved approximately 200m into the 'Orayba area in northwestern Rafah. They called through loudspeakers on Palestinian farmers to leave their agricultural land. Some members of the International Solidarity Movement tried to prevent the Israeli military bulldozers from razing those areas, but their attempts failed. The bulldozers remained there until Saturday evening, 29 March 2003, razing the following tracts of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation network and a water pump owned by Subhi Salim Salama al-Mallahi.

2. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land, on which two greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed three animal feed stores owned by Mohammed Salim Salama al-Mallahi.

3. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with potatoes and onions, and a greenhouse standing on the same land, planted with vegetables, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Salim Salama al-Mallahi.

4. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation network and insecticides owned by Salah Salim Salama al-Mallahi.

5. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ayman Salim Salama al-Mallahi.

6. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and potatoes, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Salah Suleiman Salim al-Hashash.

Saturday, 29 March 2003

At approximately 13:30, an Israeli gunboat intercepted a Palestinian fishing boat owned by Mohammed Munir Baker, approximately 6 nautical miles from the shore of Gaza city. Israeli marine troops arrested the following two Palestinian fishermen:

1. Mohammed Mohammed Munir Baker, 25; and

2. Mahmoud Mohammed Munir Baker, 27.

They also forced the other 4 fishermen who were on the boat to sail towards the shore. The fishing boat was in an area where fishing is permitted according to the Palestinian-Israeli agreements.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of the "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. They also fired flare and sound bombs in the air. A flare bomb fell onto an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 6 people live, owned by Fayez Ahmed Salim Salha. Furniture of the house was severely damaged.

Sunday, 30 March 2003

At approximately 15:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 700m into Palestinian areas west of a settler road linking al-Mentar crossing and al-Shuhada' junction, south of Gaza city. Apparently, Israeli soldiers moved into the area to chase 4 Palestinian young men who were under olive trees hunting birds. Immediately and without prior warning, Israeli soldiers fired at the 4 young men. Less than 10 minutes later, a tank and a military bulldozer moved into the area. The fate of the 4 young men remained unknown until the following day, when Israeli occupying forces allowed a Palestinian ambulance to enter the area. The body of a young man, Mohammed Farouq Mahmoud Tafesh, 18, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza city, was found in the area. According to medical sources, he was shot by a live bullet in the head. Palestinians were also informed that the other three young men were detained by Israeli occupying forces, as follows:

1. Hussam Mohammed Mahmoud Hussein, 19, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood;

2. Ibrahim Mohammed D'ib al-'Emari, 19, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood; and

3. 'Ali Walid Fadhel Abu Dayeh, 19, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood.

Tuesday, 1 April 2003

At approximately 06:00, Israeli occupying forces moved roughly 300m onto a road that leads to "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza city. An Israeli military bulldozer partially demolished a 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed mosque on the left of the road. It also destroyed 3 tombs belonging to the al-Saqqa family.

At approximately 15:30, an Israeli military jeep moved into Qarawat Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah, which is under full Palestinian control. The jeep parked near Qarawat Bani Zaid secondary school. A number of Palestinian students threw stones towards the jeep. Immediately, Israeli soldiers got out of the jeep and fired at the students. Three students were wounded:

1. Ra'fat Fahed Hassan 'Arar, 15, critically wounded by an explosive live bullet that entered his back and exited through his abdomen, damaging blood vessels and intestines, and by shrapnel in the pelvis (his brother, Muhsen, was killed by Israeli forces one year ago) ;

2. Ramez Fahed Hassan 'Arar, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis; and

3. Ghassan Bajes 'Arar, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the foot.

At approximately 16:00, two Israeli military jeeps moved into Kufor 'Ein village, northwest of Ramallah, which is under full Palestinian control. A number of young Palestinian men gathered near the cemetery of the village and threw stones towards the military jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the stone throwers. Kafi 'Abdul Fattah Daghra, 21, was wounded by a live bullet in the ear. Israeli soldiers also arrested Mohammed 'Afif Saleh Abu Khrama, 16. They severely beat him and then released him in an area adjacent to 'Aaboud village. A villager found him and evacuated him to hospital.

Wednesday, 2 April 2003

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of heavy military vehicles and two helicopters, moved into Tulkram refugee camp from three directions. They established a military site southeast of the camp and transformed UNRWA schools in the east of the camp into interrogation centers. They imposed a curfew on the camp and called through loudspeakers on males aged 15-40 to gather in UNRWA schools. Approximately 1200 people gathered, and they were interrogated. They were also taken in buses to Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm, and were not allowed to return to their homes. Israeli forces also arrested 15 Palestinians who were allegedly wanted. They raided houses in the camp. They made holes in walls to move from one house to another. Israeli forces surrounded Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm. They moved into its yard and checked identity cards of its medical staff and patients. At the time of writing, Israeli occupying forces were continuing their incursion into the camp.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into Jenin. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and markets, wounding two Palestinian civilians:

1. Amjad 'Omar Mustafa Khalil, 19, wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh; and

2. Fu'ad Mustafa 'Atiq, 21, wounded by shrapnel in the legs.

In the evening, Israeli occupying forces killed 4 Palestinian, injured some others, destroyed 4 houses and severely damaged roads and public service supplies, when they invaded al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods in Rafah.

According to PCHR's investigation and eyewitnesses' reports, at approximately 21:15, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with about 35 heavy military vehicles and a number of military bulldozers and covered by intense shelling moved into al-Brazil and al-Salam neighborhoods in Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. At approximately 23:00, two Israeli combat helicopters flew over the two areas and fired at Palestinian houses. One of the helicopters launched a missile at a group of Palestinian civilians who were in an alley in the al-Salam neighborhood. Six civilians were injured by shrapnel from the missile. Three of them were in such serious condition that medical efforts to save their lives failed. They were pronounced dead two hours later:

1. Walid Tawfiq al-Liddawi, 19, hit by shrapnel in the head and the limbs;

2. Ibrahim 'Abdul Nour Abu Shallouf, 18, hit by shrapnel in the chest and the feet; and

3. Wissam 'Abdul Karim al-Sha'er, 24, hit by shrapnel in the abdomen.

The other civilians who were injured were:

1. Mohammed Shukri 'Olayan, 25, injured by shrapnel in the left leg;

2. Sami Ahmed Abu 'Abada, 16, injured by shrapnel in the right knee; and

3. Rami Nabil Zannoun, 20, injured by shrapnel in the left leg.

Israeli heavy military vehicles also shelled the two areas. A Palestinian civilian, Mustafa Fathi D'iba, 19, was injured by shrapnel in the right leg.

A number of Palestinian men resisted the Israeli incursion. Israeli soldiers fired at them, killing Mahmoud Nafez Sha'at, 35, with a live bullet in the head.

Before their withdrawal from the two areas, Israeli military bulldozers completely demolished two Palestinian houses in the al-Brazil neighborhood, and partially destroyed two others in the al-Salam neighborhood. The details are as follows:

1. They totally demolished a 300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 4 families numbering 20 lived, owned by Su'ad 'Abdul Majid Ahmed al-Shaf'ei.

2. They totally demolished a 300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which two families numbering 12 lived, owned by Samhan 'Abdul Rahman Hussein Hussein.

3. They partially demolished a 200-square-meter, 4-storey house, in which two families numbering 18 lived, owned by 'Abdul Hamid Hassan Timraz.

4. They partially demolished a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which two families numbering 12 lived, owned by Mohammed 'Ali Hamdan Qeshta.

Shooting at Palestinian Civilians

Thursday, 27 March 2003

At approximately 16:30, Israeli occupying forces at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Wadi al-Salqa village, fired at Haniya 'Olayan Abu Juraiban, 51, while she was cultivating vegetables on her agricultural land, approximately 1km west of the border. She was wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder. She told PCHR's field officer in the central Gaza Strip that the area was quiet when she was fired at by Israeli forces.

Friday, 28 March 2003

At approximately 14:30, a number of Palestinian children and young men demonstrated at the western entrance of Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, in protest of the US-British war on Iraq. They moved towards an Israeli military checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah. When they neared the checkpoint, they set fire to tires and threw stones towards 6 Israeli soldiers who were behind a fence surrounding Qalandya Airport near the checkpoint. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators, wounding two:

1. Mujahed 'Eissa Ahmed al-Tayeh, 19, wounded by two live bullets in the right hand and the left thigh; and

2. 'Omar Mousa Ahmed Mutair, 14, seriously wounded by a live bullet that entered his jaw and settled in his neck. He succumbed to his wound on Wednesday, 2 April 2003.

Saturday, 29 March 2003

At approximately 00:30, three Israeli soldiers who were hiding behind the offices of the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, fired at 3 Palestinian young men who were near their houses on al-Nuzha Street. All 3 were wounded:

1. Jamal Mahmoud Mansour, 32, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest;

2. 'Abdul Rahman 'Abdul Fattah Abu al-'Eish, 20, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm; and

3. Mohammed Saqer al-Soufi, 20, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand.

Apparently, Israeli soldiers intended to kill the three young men, as all of their injuries were in the upper part of the body.

In an excessive use of lethal force, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a 15-year-old Palestinian child and wounded a 20-year-old man critically in ‘Askar refugee camp in Nablus.

According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 20:10, while an Israeli military vehicle was patrolling ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones towards the vehicle, without posing any threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers. Immediately and without resorting to less lethal means, Israeli soldiers fired at the stone throwers. Mohammed Ahmed Asa’ad Darwish, 15, was critically wounded by two live bullets; one that entered his back and exited through his chest and hit his right hand, while the other hit his left leg. He died on the way to hospital. In addition, Kamel Mahmoud Ahmed ‘Owais, 20, was critically wounded by a live bullet in the chest.

Monday, 31 March 2003

At approximately 14:00, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians near Tariq Ben Ziad School in southern Hebron. Three Palestinian children were wounded:

1. Mustafa Zuhair al-‘Ajlouni, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;

2. Wa’ed Mazen Ghaith, 10, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg; and

3. Jalal Yousef Barqan, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand.

Tuesday, 1 April 2003

At approximately 17:30, a number of Palestinian children gathered in Wad Bourqin Street, west of Jenin, and threw stones towards an Israeli tank positioned approximately 50m away. Immediately, Israeli soldiers in the tank fired at the children, wounding two:

1. Suhaib Mahmoud Sa’id Samara, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg; and

2. ‘Ali Mohammed Hamed Taleb, 11, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.

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

At approximately 02:30 on Friday, 28 March 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into Ma’an village, east of Khan Yunis. Soon, they surrounded the house of Ayman Mousa Mohammed Abu al-Naja, a brother of Amjad Abu al-Naja, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli forces. They blew up the door and broke into the house, accompanied by dogs. They searched the 200-square-meter, two-story house, in which 3 families numbering 23 people live. After they searched the house and checked the identities of its residents, they forced the residents out and planted explosives in the house. They then raided and searched a 160-square-meter, two-storey house, in which 3 families numbering 16 people live, owned by Mohammed Mohammed Ahmed Abu al-Naja. They searched the house and forced its residents out. Shortly before they withdrew from the area, approximately two and a half hours, Israeli forces destroyed the first house. The second house was severely damaged, and an animal farm and a car, owned by Ussama Mousa Abu al-Naja, were also destroyed.

At approximately 22:00 on Monday, 31 March 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into al-Aama’ari refugee camp in Ramallah. Nearly 100 Israeli soldiers surrounded the house of Mohammed Yousef ‘Abdul Rahim Naji, 66. They ordered the owner to get out and informed him that his house would be destroyed. Israeli soldiers then broke into the 105-square-meter, 3-storey house, where 7 people (including the owner’s five sons, all of whom have been detained by Israeli forces) lived. They ordered the family to evacuate their belongings in one hour, but Naji refused. Immediately, Israeli soldiers planted explosives in the house and destroyed it, damaging 16 neighboring houses, a mosque and two stores. In addition, 3 civilian cars were destroyed. Upon their withdrawal from the camp, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians.

At approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 1 April 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They surrounded the house of “Mohammed Jamil” Mutlaq Edris Ghanem. Ghanem heard sounds of intense gunfire outside. He looked through the windows to see what was going on. He saw Israeli soldiers firing at the street lights. Soon, he heard knocking on the door. He opened it. Immediately, Israeli soldiers broke into the house. They ordered him to get the 8 residents of the 160-square-meter house out. They then planted explosives in the house and destroyed it. Ghanem is the father of Rami Ghanem who carried out a bombing in Netanya, Israel on Sunday, 30 March 2003.

At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 2 April 2003, Israeli occupying forces surrounded a house belonging to the family of 'Omar Hamdan Ahmed Abu Snaina, 22, in the Wadi al-Hariya area in southern Hebron. They called through loudspeakers on the 10 residents of the 160-square-meter house to get out. Israeli soldiers then broke into the house and searched it. They planted explosives in the house and destroyed it. Abu Snaina was arrested by Israeli occupying forces on 26 June 2002.

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PCHR calls:

1. Upon the international community to provide immediate and independent international protection for the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article 146, to ensure the respect of the Convention.

3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute those believed to have committed war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories before international courts.

4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence, expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

5. Upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights.

6. Upon the international community to provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose living conditions are continuing to deteriorate as a result of the continued siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territories.