Weekly Report

On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied

Palestinian Territories

01- 07 May 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 -- Copenhagen

E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org

Israeli forces continue their flagrant disregard for the lives of Palestinian Civilians

19 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 5 children, were killed by Israeli forces
13 of the victims, including 3 brothers and a toddler, were killed during an Israeli incursion into al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza
One of the victims was run down by Israeli forces in Tulkarm
A British journalist was killed by Israeli forces in Rafah
Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling
18 houses were destroyed in Rafah
Large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Khan Yunis was razed
Continued indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas and an infant killed in Khan Yunis
The Israeli retaliatory campaign continues against families of wanted Palestinians and those who allegedly carried out armed attacks against Israeli targets, resulting the destruction of 5 houses
More Palestinians were arrested
Israeli forces continued to use Palestinian civilians as human shields in military operations
Continued siege on Palestinian communities and a number of Palestinians were arrested at Israeli military checkpoints

Introduction

Israeli occupying forces have continued to conduct illegal actions and human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including collective punishment, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas and agricultural land leveling. This week, 1-7 May 2003, 19 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 5 children, an old man and a handicapped male, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

In another military attack on Palestinian civilian areas, Israeli occupying forces killed 13 Palestinians, including a toddler, three children, a handicapped man and three brothers, in Gaza City. At least 40 others were wounded when Israeli occupying forces invaded Gaza City’s al-Shojaeya neighborhood, supported by helicopter gunships. Israeli forces destroyed a house while two brothers remained inside and an old man died from a heart attack when his family was unable to evacuate him to hospital. Israeli forces claimed that the operation was aimed at arrested a wanted Palestinian. This operation reflects a systematic policy adopted by the Israeli government and its occupying forces aimed at killing innocent civilians and destroying civilian property. In two similar operations in March, Israeli forces killed dozens of Palestinian civilians in Jabalya and al-Boreij refugee camps in the Gaza Strip and destroyed dozens of houses and civilian facilities.

Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, during which they attacked Palestinian civilians and property. This week, Israeli occupying forces demolished 18 Palestinian houses in Rafah, leaving more than 100 Palestinian civilians homeless. This brings the total number of houses destroyed by Israeli forces in Rafah since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada to more than 600- the highest number throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This total does not include the thousands of houses that have been damaged.

On Friday, 2 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a 34-year-old British journalist, while he was filming a documentary with 5 other journalists, on the lives of Palestinian children in Rafah, near the border with Egypt. It is reported that Israeli forces even hesitated in offering him medical aid when he was injured. James Miller and his colleagues had been in the Gaza Strip for several weeks, filming a documentary for HBO on the lives of Palestinian children in Rafah. This brings the total number of journalists killed by Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada in September 2000 to 7 - 5 Palestinians and 2 foreigners.

This week, Israeli forces razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis.

As a result of the indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas by Israeli occupying forces, 5 Palestinians, including a child and an infant, were killed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. One of the victims was killed when an Israeli military vehicle hit his car and then obstructed his evacuation to hospital. A sixth Palestinian civilian died from a previous injury he sustained during an Israeli incursion into Jabalya refugee camp on 11 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 5 houses in the West Bank towns of Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus.

Israeli occupying forces continue to maintain their total siege of the OPT and 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 have prevented Palestinians aged 16-35 from traveling abroad. On 6 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed Rafah terminal at the border with Egypt for no apparent reason. They also maintained the closure of Beit Hanoun crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, denying Palestinian workers access to their places of work in Israel. Also this week, Israeli forces blocked cars between al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, checking Palestinian civilians traveling between the south and north of the Gaza Strip, which resulted in a number of arrests.

Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas

Thursday, 1 May 2003

At approximately 00:30, about 30 Israeli heavy military vehicles, supported by helicopters, moved approximately 200m into al-Sha'er neighborhood on the border with Egypt, south of Rafah. They surrounded the area and called via megaphones for the residents to evacuate their homes. Israeli soldiers forcibly entered 3 homes, planted explosives and then detonated them. Three neighboring houses were destroyed in the blasts and three others were severely damaged. Israeli forces also totally demolished two houses and partially destroyed two others. During the raid, Israeli forces arrested Romania Mills, 27, a British ISM activist, when she attempted to stop Israeli soldiers from entering the home of the Qeshta family, where she had been staying. Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the area at approximately 05:30, after also destroying the electricity, communications and sewage networks.

Following are details of the destruction and damaged incurred to houses by Israeli forces:

1. They totally destroyed a 300-square-meter house owned by Mohammed Hassan Mohammed al-Sha'er in which 4 families (24 people) lived.

2. They totally destroyed a 150-square-meter house owned by 'Aayesh Salam Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 5 people lived.

3. They totally destroyed a 200-square-meter house owned by Salah Salam Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 10 people lived.

4. They totally destroyed a 300-square-meter house owned by Mohammed Salam Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 8 people lived.

5. They totally destroyed a 170-square-meter house owned by Mahmoud Hammad Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which two families (14 people) lived.

6. They totally destroyed a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Awadh Mohammed Hassan al-Sha'er, in which 7 people lived.

7. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Salem Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sha'er.

8. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter house owned by Sami Salem Mohammed al-Sha'er.

9. They partially demolished a 300-square-meter house owned by Fawzi Salem Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which two families (7 people) live.

10. They partially demolished a 300-square-meter house owned by 'Abdul Maqsoud Salman Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 3 families (20 people) live.

11. They partially destroyed a 300-square-meter house owned by Salah Salem Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which two families (11 people) live.

12. They partially destroyed a 200-square-meter house owned by 'Ata 'Atiya Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 4 families (25 people) live.

13. They partially destroyed a 150-square-meter house owned by Mohammed 'Atiya Mohammed al-Sha'er, in which 8 people live.

According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 01:45, dozens of Israeli heavy military vehicles, including bulldozers moved from the eastern border of the Gaza Strip approximately 500m into the densely populated al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Israeli forces seized control of the neighborhood and took up military positions on the roofs of some Palestinian houses, where they opened fire on the neighborhood. Israeli forces surrounded houses belonging to the Abu Hain family. They threw hand grenades at one of the houses, where Yousef, Mahmoud and Ayman Khaled Abu Hain where believed to be hiding. Israeli forces called via megaphones for the three brothers to leave the house, but they refused. Soon after, Israeli forces fired several artillery shells at the house. The roof of the house collapsed over Yousef and Mahmoud and the body of the third brother, Ayman, was found near the house. He had been shot by several live bullets throughout his body. Israeli occupying forces claimed that Yousef was wanted for his activities with the Hamas movement.

As a result of the indiscriminate shelling and gunfire by the Israeli forces that continued until the afternoon, 6 Palestinian civilians were killed, including a toddler and two children:

1. Ameer Ahmed 'Ayad, 2, hit by several live bullets in the chest and abdomen;

2. Mohammed Nasser al-Dahdouh, 13, hit by several live bullets in the chest and abdomen;

3. Ahmed Ramadan al-Tatar, 13, hit by several live bullets in the chest and abdomen;

4. Nasser Nemer Helles, 36, hit by a live bullet in the abdomen;

5. Baker Subhi Muhaisen, 40, handicapped, hit by a live bullet in the chest; and

6. Mohammed Kamal Abu Zarina, 30, hit by a live bullet in the head.

In addition, about 40 other Palestinians were wounded, including 5 seriously and access for Palestinian ambulances and medical staff to the wounded was obstructed. Shehda al-Gharabli, 67, died of a heart attack, but his family was unable to evacuate his body to hospital.

A number of Palestinian resistance men confronted the Israeli invasion of the area, which continued until 16:20. In the clashes that erupted with Israeli occupying forces, 3 Palestinian resistance men were killed:

1. 'Abdullah Farajallah al-'Omrani, 21, hit by a live bullet in the head;

2. Mohammed Na'im Basel Na'im, 20, hit by several live bullets throughout the body; and

3. Rami Khader Sa'ad, 25, hit by several live bullets throughout the body.

'Allam al-Sersawi, 36, a resident of the neighborhood, told PCHR's Gaza City field worker that Israeli forces destroyed the walls of some the houses, when moving from one house to another. He added that Israeli soldiers forced him and his family out of their house and ordered him and his brother, Eihab, to take off their clothes and then used them as human shields to protect them from Palestinian resistance men who were confronting the Israeli forces.

During the house raids, Israeli forces arrested 7 members of the Abu Hain family, including a woman and her 5-year-old daughter, detained them in a house belonging to 'Abdullah Abu Hain and then transferred them to the industrial zone of al-Mentar crossing. Israeli forces then interrogated the detainees and finally released four, but kept three in custody:

1. Ussama Saqer Hassan Abu Hain, 19, a university student;

2. Yasser Hassan Hussein Abu Hain, 26, a journalist; and

3. Dr. Fadel Khaled Hussein Abu Hain, 43, a university professor, whose three brothers were killed.

As a result of the indiscriminate Israeli shelling, two Palestinian houses were destroyed, including the one where the three Abu Hain brothers were hiding – a 180-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Ibrahim Ahmed Abu Hain, in which 4 people lived. In addition, dozens of houses were damaged.

Israeli occupying forces killed two Palestinians in al-Qassir area in the northwest of Yatta village, south of Hebron late during the night on Wednesday, 30 April 2003. The killing was not detected until Thursday evening, 1 May 2003.

According to information available to PCHR, early in the morning of Thursday, 1 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Qassir area in Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli soldiers deployed in the area began firing at Palestinian houses and then raided the house of Mohammed Jibril Shehada al-Makhamra, 30, and forced him and his family out. At approximately 04:00, they took him to an area located approximately 150m away from his house, where they asked him to identify two bodies. They were identified as:

1. Khaled Jubril Shehada al-Makhamra, 27; and

2. Mahmoud Sa'ad Budair, 22, from Khan Yunis, a member of the Palestinian National Force.

Later, an Israeli military spokesman claimed that Israeli forces had clashed with armed activists hiding in a house, killing two of them. However, according to al-Makhamra, he did not see any weapons near the bodies when he identified them. He stated that his brother - one of the two victims - was not a political or military activist, and had permission to work in a Jewish settlement. A Palestinian source stated that the other victim, Budair, was not wanted by Israeli occupying forces. The two were killed outside, not in a house, contrary to Israeli military claims. Apparently, Israeli soldiers killed Budair and al-Makhamra in the area where their bodies were found.

At approximately 10:45, Israeli occupying forces on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian child, Fadel 'Aatef al-Masri, 7, was injured by shrapnel to the head, while he was near his family's house, approximately 300m away from the border.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces in a military location at Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the west. A Palestinian woman, 'Aa'esha Suleiman Abu Mo'ammar, 37, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh, while she was inside her house approximately 700m west of the crossing.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli occupying forces on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block J in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Na'im Ghazi Abu Ramadan, 32, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh, while he was near his house.

Friday, 2 May 2003

At approximately 07:30, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Gush Qatif" settlement block, south of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Berka area in the south of the central Gaza Strip town. A Palestinian woman, 'Etaf Suleiman Abu Shmas, 40, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg, while she was in her house, approximately 500m away from the source of fire.

During the fourth incursion into the area in less than two weeks, at approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 500m into Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. They razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat, demolished 3 iron-roofed rooms and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Isma'il Khalil Suleiman al-Najjar.

2. They razed a 9-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Mohammed Suleiman Abu Rujaila.

3. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Suleiman Salem Hassanein Qudaih.

4. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and onions owned by Salman Salem Hassanein Qudiah.

5. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and onions owned by Ahmed Salem Hassanein Qudiah.

6. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Ibrahim Suleiman al-Najjar.

7. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Khaled Ibrahim al-Najjar.

8. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Suleiman Ibrahim al-Najjar.

9. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and a 100-meter-long row of wild figs, demolished a room and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ibrahim 'Abdu 'Ali Abu Jame'.

10. They razed a 7-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and a 100-meter-long row of wild figs, demolished a room and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Khalil 'Abdu 'Ali Abu Jame'.

11. They razed a 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and onions and a 50-meter-long row of wild figs, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by 'Ata 'Abdul Mawla 'Abdu 'Ali Abu Jame'.

12. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Ibrahim Hussein Qudaih.

13. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Salem Hussein Qudiah.

14. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Ahmed 'Abdullah Qudaih.

15. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and olives owned by Mahmoud Hussein al-Reqeb and farmed by Khalil Hamdan Ahmed al-Najjar.

At approximately 17:30, 6 Israeli heavy military vehicles, including two bulldozers, moved approximately 100m into al-Sha'er neighborhood adjacent to the border with Egypt, south of Rafah. They demolished two Palestinian houses:

1. A 300-square-meter house owned by Sarari Ahmed Daoud al-Sha'er, in which two families (10 people) lived; and

2. A 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Helmi Mansour al-Sha'er, in which 10 people lived.

Saturday, 3 May 2003

At approximately 00:45, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 200m into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. Immediately, they surrounded the houses of Fu'ad and Ziad Mousa Hussein al-Agha. They raided one of the houses and forced the 8 inhabitants out. They then forced one of the inhabitants to tell the two families (9 people) living in the other house, to vacate the premises. They used Fu'ad al-Agha, 50, as a human shield while searching the houses. Approximately an hour later, Israeli soldiers detained the residents in one room on the first floor of the first house. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at approximately 04:00.

At approximately 14:00, 6 Israeli heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, covered by intense gunfire, moved approximately 100m into al-Sha'er neighborhood in Rafah, adjacent to the border with Egypt. A Palestinian civilian, Mahmoud Yousef Hamdan Abu Sha'ar, 19, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian houses:

1. They totally demolished a 100-square-meter house owned by 'Abdul Khaliq Jaber al-Qotati, in which 8 people lived.

2. They totally demolished a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Marazeq Zannoun, in which 14 people lived.

3. They partially demolished a 145-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Sa'id Mansour al-Sha'er.

Sunday, 4 May 2003

At approximately 10:45, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and civilian facilities in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. Live bullets hit both Nasser Hospital, approximately 800m away and an UNRWA preparatory school, located approximately 600m away. A pupil at the school, Khalil Saif Ahmed Safi, 13, was injured by shrapnel in the face, while he was in his classroom. Also as a result of the one-hour gunfire, two Palestinian civilians were injured:

1. 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed al-Najjar, 20, injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left shoulder; and

2. 'Atiya Mohammed Abu Mukhaimar, 24, injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left shoulder.

At approximately 15:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into the eastern part of Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian school children and young men gathered and threw stones towards Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire at the stone throwers. Mohammed Zahi Majdi Hassan Hejazi, 14, was killed by a live bullet in the head. According to eyewitnesses, the child was fired at from a distance of approximately 15-20 meters. In addition, 7 were wounded:

1. Suleiman Lutfi Mahmoud Qatouni, 26, from al-'Ein refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand;

2. Rebhi Mohammed Hussein al-Zhaher, 52, from Yassid village, northwest of Nablus, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

3. Mohammed Munir 'Abdullah Hannoun, 18, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the hips;

4. Khaled 'Omar Khader 'Abdu, 11, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by two live bullets in the thighs;

5. Mustafa Mohammed Nemer Dababka, 26, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the neck and shoulder;

6. Mohammed Khaled Mohammed Rida al-Khatib, 20, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by two live bullets in the left hand; and

7. Ibrahim Walid 'Ali Marahil, 12, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot.

Monday, 5 May 2003

At approximately 21:50, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Amal and al-Nimsawi neighborhoods. A Palestinian child, Mohammed Bassam 'Abdul 'Aziz Fayadh, 16, was seriously wounded by a live bullet, while he was walking approximately 500m away from the source of fire. A number of houses were also damaged.

Tuesday, 6 May 2003

At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. Apartment building number 1 in al-Nimsawi neighborhood was hit. Three flats were severely damaged:

1. A 107-square-meter flat owned by Akmal Ghaleb Musbah Abu Khadra, in which 6 people live;

2. A 107-square-meter flat owned by Hamed Khalil Hussein al-Ghamri, in which 8 people live; and

3. A 107-square-meter flat owned by 'Essam Mahmoud No'man Fayadh, in which 8 people live.

Wednesday, 7 May 2003

At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Batan al-Samin area. A Palestinian infant, 16-month-old 'Olayan Sa'ad 'Olayan al-Bashiti, was critically wounded by a live bullet in the head. About 4 hours later, he was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

According to his mother, he was wounded while he was with his brother, Wa'el, 3, and his cousins near their house, approximately 600m northeast of the aforementioned settlement. She evacuated him in a civilian car to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where he succumbed to his wound.

Shooting at Palestinian Civilians

Thursday, 1 May 2003

At approximately 12:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a number of military jeeps, moved into Beit Fouril village, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian school children and young men gathered and threw stones towards Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators, wounding 10, including 4 children:

1. Bassam Nemer Sedqi al-Haj Mohammed, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

2. Munther Fahmi Salim Khatatba, 21, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

3. 'Abada Hussam Ahmed Mulaitat, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis;

4. 'Alaa' Sultan 'Abdul Rahman Khatatba, 20, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand;

5. Adib Riad Yousef Hanani, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand;

6. Habash Hamdan Hussein Hanani, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

7. 'Emad Ahmed Salem Hanani, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left shoulder;

8. Hamza Sameer Mohammed Hanani, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand;

9. Mahmoud Mohammed 'Ouda Ghalma, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back; and

10. Jasser Ayoub Mahmoud Hanani, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the jaw.

Friday, 2 May 2003

At approximately 15:30, a number of Israeli military jeeps raided Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. Soon, a number of Palestinian boys and young men gathered in alleys and threw stones towards the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, which are lethal when fired from short distances, at the stone throwers, wounding 5:

1. 'Abdul Hamid Wajih 'Awad, 18, seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the mouth;

2. 'Eissa Zaki Ahmed Salhiya, 26, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg;

3. Eyad Ibrahim Abu Latifa, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand;

4. Ahmed Mahmoud Fayez Abu Nasser, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg; and

5. Ishaq Yousef Mustafa Salem, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand.

Also at approximately 15:30, Israeli occupying forces raided Beit Fouril village, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones towards Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the stone throwers, wounding 5:

1. Eyad Fawzi Mohammed Hanani, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face;

2. Nasser Bassam Nasrallah, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand;

3. Asad Najeh Mahmoud Hanani, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right shoulder;

4. 'Abdul Rahim Wajdi 'Abdul Rahim Hanani, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back; and

5. Waseem Ya'qoub Mahmoud Hanani, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg.

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

At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 1 May 2003, 12 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Seera village, west of Ramallah. They surrounded a 200-square-meter, two-storey house owned by al-Mottafeq Khalil Hassan Hamdan, 51, in which two families (15 people) live. They called on residents of the house through megaphones to get out. They then used the owner's son, Firas, as a human shield while searching the house. Israeli forces gave the owner 30 minutes to remove the furniture from the house. They then planted explosives inside and at approximately 05:30, they destroyed the house. Hamdan is the father of Haitham Hamda, who is serving four life sentences in an Israeli jail, after he was accused of participating in an armed attack against Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint near Ramallah.

At approximately 01:15 on Friday, 2 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with 3 armored personnel carriers and 13 military jeeps moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They surrounded a house owned Mohammed Amin Mahmoud Ghalma. They forced the family out without allowing them to remove the furniture. When Ghalma and his son challenged the Israeli soldiers fired live bullets in the air. Israeli soldiers then gave the family 30 minutes to remove the furniture and then destroyed the house. Three neighboring houses were severely damaged. Ghalma is the father of Mahmoud Ghalma who was killed while carrying out an armed attack on Wednesday, 30 April 2003, against "Allon Moreh" settlement, which is located on Palestinian land in Nablus.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces surrounded a 155-square-meter, two-storey house, in which 8 people live, owned by Ghassan Fawaz Abu Khait also in Beit Fourik village. They gave the family 30 minutes to remove the furniture and then destroyed the house. Two neighboring houses were also damaged in the blast. Abu Khait is the father of Azhar Abu Khait who was also killed in the aforementioned armed attack.

At approximately 00:00 on Monday, 5 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces surrounded a 600-square-meter, 3-storey house in Hebron owned by Jawad Hafez Jraiwi Abu Snaina, 45, in which 5 families (22 people) live. They forced Abu Snaina and his 9-member family out of their flat and destroyed it. The neighboring flats and the building’s facade were severely damaged. Abu Snaina is the father of Tariq Abu Snaina, 22, who was killed while carrying out an armed attack against "Kharsina" settlement, east of Hebron, in January 2003.

At approximately 04:15 on Tuesday, 6 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces destroyed the upper floor of a house owned by 'Azzam 'Abdul Mohsen Mahmoud al-Qawasmi, 43, from Hebron, and arrested him and one of his sons, claiming that the family was harbouring Nour Mohammed Shukri Jaber, 28, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli forces.

According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces surrounded two houses owned by al-Qawasmi. Al-Qawasmi and his family live in one of the houses, while the other one was rented by Jaber. Israeli forces called via megaphones for the residents to vacate the two houses. At approximately 03:45, an Israeli officer told al-Qawasmi that his forces would demolish the rented house. Israeli forces planted explosives on the upper floor of the house, and detonated it at approximately 04:45. The ground floor and the other house were severely damaged. Upon their withdrawal from the area, Israeli forces arrested al-Qawasmi, his son, Bassam, 17 and Jaber. They claim that Jaber is a leader of Islamic Jihad, who planned an armed attack in November 2002 that left 12 Israeli soldiers and security men dead. Israeli forces demolished Jaber's house after the attack and they recently released his wife after 6-months of administrative detention.

An Israeli Military Vehicle Runs Over a Palestinian Civilian in Tulkarm

On Wednesday, 7 May 2003, an Israeli military vehicle, hit a civilian car that was traveling on Tulkram-al-Sha'rawia, killing a passenger and injuring two others.

According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 13:00, while Ayman 'Ezziddin Ibrahim al-Houji, 20, from Tulkarm, Mohammed Sa'id Ahmed Nasser, 31, from Deir Sharaf village, west of Nablus, and Hani Kamel Taleb Baker, 20, from Kufor al-Labad, east of Tulkarm, were traveling in a civilian car (a Fiat Uno) on al-Sha'rawia road, an Israeli military vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, hit their car. The three passengers were injured. A Palestinian ambulance came to the area to evacuate them to hospital, but Israeli soldiers prevented the ambulance from doing so for about 30 minutes. Al-Houji was later pronounced dead.

Israeli Occupying Forces Shoot Dead a British Journalist in Rafah

On Friday, 2 May 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a 34-year-old British journalist in Rafah. According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 19:30 on Friday, 2 May 2003, a number of British journalists, accompanied by Palestinian assistants, went to the area of Salah al-Din Gate in Rafah on the Egyptian border. The group included 3 British journalists: James Miller, 34, cameraman; Saira Shah, 38, journalist; and Daniel Edge, 25, assistant, as well as two Palestinians: Mowaffaq al-Khatib, 25, a guide; and 'Abdul Rahman 'Abdullah, 25, a translator.

In his testimony to PCHR, the translator, 'Abdul Rahman 'Abdullah said that he and other members of the group entered Fawzi al-Sha'er’s house and started filming agricultural land leveling and house demolition by Israeli military bulldozers, approximately 150m away. About half an hour Tamer Ziara, an Associated Press cameraman joined the group. 'Abdullah added:

"At approximately 23:30, we decided to leave the house and the area, but we realized that we were blocked inside the house and Israeli tanks were very close. We decided to get out of the house and introduce ourselves to the Israeli soldiers and tell them about our work and that we would like to leave the area, to avoid being fired. Three of us got out; I was carrying a white flag, James was holding a lamp directed at the flag and Saira was raising her hands. We were all wearing helmets and bullet proof vests clearly marked with ‘TV’. We walked about 20m towards the tanks. We called on Israeli soldiers saying that we were British journalists who wanted to leave the area, but they did not reply. Suddenly, they fired at us, wounding James. James cried out and we shouted at Israeli soldiers to stop shooting and told them that one of us was wounded. We asked them for help as James was bleeding intensely. I went back to the house and told the others that James was wounded and asked them to call an ambulance. Then, I ran towards the tanks to ask the Israeli soldiers for help, but they did not reply. I returned to James and tried with Daniel and Saira to evacuate him from the area. We carried him and when we began to walk, Israeli soldiers on one of the tanks called on us to stop, but we continued to walk. Two armored personnel carriers moved towards us. When they were 10m away, Israeli soldiers ordered us to put James on the front of the carrier. I told them that he was in a bad condition and should be put inside the vehicles, but they insisted we put him on the front of the carrier. We tried more than once, but we failed to put him on the front of the carrier as it was too high. James fell more than once, but Israeli soldiers did not help us. After several failed attempts, Israeli soldiers got out of the carrier and put him on its front. Then, Saira left the area with the carrier."

Later, Israeli sources reported that James Miller was transferred to an Israeli military location in Rafah, where he succumbed to his wounded before evacuating him to hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, no exchange of fire took place in the area between Israeli occupying forces and Palestinian gunmen. The translator also asserted that the group decided to leave the house when the area was quiet. This was backed up by Tamer Ziara, who joined the group later, asserting that only Israeli occupying forces were firing in the area.

James Miller and his colleagues had been in the Gaza Strip for several weeks, filming a documentary for HBO on the lives of Palestinian children in Rafah on the border with Egypt.

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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 respect for the Convention.

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

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.