PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

No. 38/2003

02-08 Oct. 2003

Israeli Occupying Forces Impose a Comprehensive Siege of the OPT and Continue to Perpetrate Violations of Human Rights

This week, Israeli occupying forces have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including extra-judicial and willful killings, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions, land leveling and arrests. They have also imposed a comprehensive siege on the OPT. This escalation follows a bombing carried out by a Palestinian in Haifa on Saturday, 4 October 2003. The US has voiced support for Israel’s recent escalation of repressive tactics, while the international community has remained silent. This week, 6 Palestinians, including a child and an old man, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

Following the bombing in Haifa carried out by a Palestinian woman from Jenin, on Sunday morning, 5 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jenin and its refugee camp and imposed a curfew. During their operations in the town and the refugee camp, Israeli occupying forces destroyed two Palestinian houses, including one belonging to the family of the girl who carried out the bombing. They also raided dozens of Palestinian houses and public facilities. Normal life in the town and the refugee camp has been paralyzed due to Israeli military operations.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 7 incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they demolished a number of houses and razed large areas of agricultural land. On Sunday, 5 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Palestinian areas located between Rafah and Khan Yunis. In 3 days, they razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land estimated at about 400 donums, and destroyed the electricity and water networks of these areas. They also fired at Palestinian civilians traveling between Rafah and Khan Yunis causing at least 7 civilian casualties. This week, Israeli occupying forces demolished 5 houses in Rafah, as part of a larger operation aimed at creating a buffer zone along the Egyptian border, south of the town.

In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces continued to take retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed 3 Palestinian houses in Jenin and Deir al-Balah.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments, on 4 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces perpetrated another extra-judicial assassination in Tulkarm in the West Bank. The attack left dead a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, as well as a 9-year-old child.

This week, Israeli occupying forces shelled Palestinian residential areas in the southern Gaza Strip. On Thursday, 2 October 2003, a child and an elderly man were killed when Israeli occupying forces shelled Palestinian residential areas in Khan Yunis and Rafah.

On Sunday, 5 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces used excessive force, in shooting dead a Palestinian civilian while he was attempting to cross Palestinian territory between Khan Yunis and Rafah.

On Tuesday, 7 October 2003, the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered Israeli contractors to intensify construction of the “separation wall” being built on Palestinian land in the West Bank. Mofaz claimed that the goal is to prevent infiltration of Palestinian gunmen into Israel. However, this week Israeli occupying forces have denied access of Palestinian farmers to their agricultural lands, which are located west of the “separation wall”. As a result, Palestinian farmers whose land is cut off by the wall have been unable to cultivate their crops.

Since Friday evening, 3 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces have imposed a comprehensive closure on the OPT. They have closed all border crossings with Israel, Egypt and Jordan. The small number of Palestinian workers who have permits to work in Israel have been denied access. Israeli occupying forces also declared that they would prevent Palestinian vehicles from traveling on the main roads linking between Palestinian communities. They have closed military checkpoints erected at entrances to these communities and denied movement of Palestinian civilians into and out of the areas.

Additionally, Israeli occupying forces have imposed a total internal and external closure on the Gaza Strip since Sunday, 5 October 2003. All main internal roads have been closed, segregating the Gaza Strip into four isolated zones. All external access routes to Israel and Egypt have also been closed.

Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers and 2 helicopters, moved approximately 100m into ‘Abu ‘Oraif Street to the west of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. Under cover of intense shelling, the bulldozers demolished a house belonging to the family of an allegedly wanted Palestinian (see below). They also razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed some civilian property:

1. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, palms and figs owned by Darwish ‘Ouda ‘Oraif Abu Munifa.

2. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms owned by ‘Oraif ‘Ouda ‘Oraif Abu Munifa.

3. They destroyed a 31-meter-long fence surrounding a tract of land owned by ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Nasser al-Louh.

4. They destroyed a 5-meter-long fence surrounding a kindergarten owned by Fthallah ‘Ouda Abu Munifa.

In addition, the electricity transmitter for the area was damaged by indiscriminate Israeli shelling, cutting off electricity.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli military bulldozers started to level areas of land in al-Bowaira area in the east of Hebron to establish a settler road, approximately 300m long and 10m wide, to link al-Bowaira main road and settler road no. 60 to serve “Kharsina” settlement, east of Hebron. The Israeli operation affected 120 donums of Palestinian land and according to Palestinian farmers whose lands were razed the Israeli military bulldozers uprooted dozens of olive and almond trees. Construction of the road stopped temporarily during the evening of the following day and was resumed again on Sunday, 5 October 2003. The 120 donum area of land affected belongs to the Jaber, al-Talhami and Abu Karsh families. It is worth noting that Israeli settlers of “Kharsina” settlement fenced off dozens of donums of land in the area, denying Palestinian access to their property.

In the morning, an 18-month-old Palestinian infant was killed when Israeli occupying forces indiscriminately shelled Palestinian residential areas in Khan Yunis.

According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 07:45, 18-month-old Moustafa ‘Abdul Qader Isma’il al-Badrasawi, was following his father up the stairs to the roof of his home in the al-Amal neighborhood in the west of Khan Yunis, when Israeli occupying forces in a military location between “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee camp. The infant was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck. Immediately, his father evacuated him to the nearby Palestine Red Crescent Society hospital. Due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, but efforts to save his life failed and the following morning he was pronounced dead.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 2 tanks and a military bulldozer, moved approximately 100m into al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under cover of intense gunfire, the bulldozer partially demolished a house owned by Nazmi and Mohammed ‘Eyada al-Akhras. 2 families (24 people) used to live in the house, but evacuated it several months ago after it was repeatedly shelled by Israeli occupying forces.

In the evening, an elderly Palestinian man was killed and 3 other elderly civilians were wounded when Israeli occupying forces opened fire at Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 20:30, Israeli soldiers in a military jeep patrolling around “Slav” settlement, west of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses and streets in Canada area in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah. 4 elderly Palestinian civilians were wounded while near their houses, approximately 800m away from the source of fire. They were evacuated to Martyr Mohammed Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. 1 of the wounded, Salim Mohammed Yousef al-Bayoumi, 62, died on the way to hospital. Al-Bayoumi was hit by a live bullet in the back, which exited the chest. The other wounded civilians were:

1. Fathia ‘Abdul Hadi al-Tartouri, 60, wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder;

2. Ibrahim ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Tartouri, 55, wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder; and

3. Ne’ma Mohammed al-Khatib, 60, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the head and the right shoulder.

According to eyewitnesses, the area was completely quiet when Israeli soldiers opened fire.

At approximately 07:30, Israeli soldiers in a military location in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Zo’rob neighborhood. Several live bullets hit a 300-square-meter, 3-storey house, in which 6 people live, owned by Mohammed Suleiman Mousa Hijazi, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. 1 of the rooms caught fire, damaging the furniture.

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces opened fire inside a café on the main road of the Palestinian controlled Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin, wounding 3 Palestinian civilians inside. 2 of the wounded were café employees and were arrested together with 28 other civilians, all of whom were taken to the “Mabi Dotan” detention center. 25 of the detainees were released in the evening, whereas the other 5, including the 2 workers, were kept in custody. Israeli occupying forces claimed that the attack targeted a number of wanted Palestinians. The 2 workers who were wounded and arrested are:

The third wounded civilian is Basem ‘Ouda Saba’na, 30, who was injured by a live bullet in the left shoulder and evacuated in a civilian car to Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm.

In his testimony to PCHR on the attack, Nasser Fahed Mohammed Zakarna, 30, said:

“At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 3 October 2003, I left my shop which is located on the same street as the cafe. I walked towards my friend’s car to get a battery for my mobile phone. When I reached to get the battery, I felt a gun being pointed at my back. I heard a voice in Hebrew ordering me to raise my hands up and I did so. I looked around and I could see an Israeli military jeep parked near my friend’s car and another parked 5 meters away. Israeli soldiers walked towards a café, approximately 10 meters away. They broke into the café and opened fire and around 5 minutes later, an Israeli military force of 8 military jeeps and 3 armored personnel carriers surrounded the area. Soon, I saw Israeli soldiers leaving the café with 2 persons; Zakarna, who was wounded in the neck, and Khuzamia, who was wounded in the face. Israeli soldiers held the 2 near me for a few minutes and then an Israeli military jeep took them to an unknown destination. About 15 minutes later, Israeli forces withdrew from the area and I saw some young men carrying Saba’na, who was wounded in the left shoulder.”

At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by a tank and a military bulldozer, moved approximately 100m into the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Jamal Hassan Yousef Abu Shanab.

At approximately 02:00, Sa’id Mohammed Suleiman, 42, from ‘Ejja village, south of Jenin, died from a previous injury he had sustained by Israeli occupying forces earlier this year. According to PCHR’s documentation, Israeli soldiers positioned near “Tarsila” settlement established on the lands of ‘Ejja village, fired at Suleiman while he was walking near the settlement, wounding him by a live bullet in the spinal column. He was evacuated to an Israeli hospital, where he received medical attention under an Israeli military escort, before Israeli occupying forces were convinced that he was mentally handicapped. He was then transferred to Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm and was later discharged and returned to his home.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by a tank and a military bulldozer, moved approximately 100m into Zo’rob neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. The bulldozer partially demolished a 150-square-meter, uninhabited house owned by ‘Abed Rabbu Salman Salim Barhoum.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli occupying forces at military locations and tanks positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block L in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Rezeq ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-‘Absi, 56, was wounded by a live bullet in the back. At the same time, Israeli occupying forces positioned in a military location near Rafah Terminal opened fire at nearby Palestinian residential areas, wounding Subhi Salim Abu Jarad, 28 by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left hand.

Following a bombing carried out by a Palestinian woman in Haifa on 4 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces conducted a number of military operations against the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip. Overnight, Israeli helicopter gunships launched missiles at a Palestinian house in Gaza City and a civilian facility in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:20 on Sunday, 5 October 2003, Israeli helicopter gunships fired 2 missiles at a Palestinian house located near the al-Yassamin building in Sheikh 'Ejlin neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. The targeted house was uninhabited. The house is owned by Munza Qanita, who survived an assassination attempt carried out by Israeli occupying forces last month in which 2 of his companions were killed. The targeted house was partially destroyed and a number of neighboring houses were also damaged.

Approximately 10 minutes later, 2 Israeli helicopter gunships fired 4 missiles at a garage in the densely populated al-Boreij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The 210-square-meter garage and 3 cars were partially destroyed, along with 5 neighboring houses. Later, Israeli occupying forces claimed that a number of allegedly wanted Palestinians were hiding in the garage. Shrapnel from the missiles also hit a main electricity transmitter, cutting electricity supplies to the camp and nearby Nusseirat refugee camp for several hours.

2. A 250-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Murshed Mohammed Shahin, in which 16 people live;

3. A 60-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by Mohammed Ahmed Shahin, in which 3 people live;

4. A 200-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Majed Mohammed Karwat, in which 6 people live; and

5. A 100-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by Khaled ‘Abdullah Abu ‘Oraiban, in which 9 people live.

After having separated Rafah and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces escalated assaults against Palestinian civilians and property in the areas adjacent to the Morag and Sofa roads. These assaults left dead a 26-year-old Palestinian civilian and injured 5 others, 1 seriously. In addition, Israeli military bulldozers razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land. PCHR’s field workers were unable to reach the affected area, due to the Israeli military presence in the area, but residents of the area told PCHR’s field workers by telephone that Israeli occupying forces had razed approximately 400 donums of agricultural land. Residents of the area suffered from shortages of food, water and electricity supplies.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:30, 8 Israeli tanks moved 3km to the east of “Morag” settlement, south of Khan Yunis. They took position on Salah al-Din Street, which links between Rafah and Khan Yunis, and separated the 2 towns. A number of Israeli soldiers took position on the roof of a 4-storey house owned by the heirs of Ibrahim Hussein al-‘Omour, after forcing the residents to vacate the premises. Israeli heavy military vehicles then blocked Salah al-Din Street with sand barriers and trees they had already uprooted. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and tear gas at Palestinian civilians who gathered on both sides of the street, while a number of children and students threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles. Salah Mustafa al-Maniarawi, 19, from Rafah, was wounded by a live bullet in the face.

Later, more Israeli tanks and military bulldozers moved from “Morag” settlement and razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed a number of greenhouses and shops on both sides of the road linking “Morag” settlement in the west with Salah al-Din Street in the east. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers indiscriminately opened fire in the area.

Also in the morning, Israeli military bulldozers leveled approximately 100 donums of Palestinian land in the south of al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. PCHR’s field worker in Hebron reported that the affected areas are located to the east of “Sinsana” settlement and are part of a larger area (approximately 500 donums) which had been razed by Israeli occupying forces and settlers last year to be annexed to the aforementioned settlement. This area of land belongs to the al-Sho’ur family.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at “Morag” junction on the western Rafah – Khan Yunis road, which has been closed since the beginning of the current Intifada, opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms in Musabbeh area in the north of Rafah. As a result, 11-year-old Iman Rebhi Abu Jazar was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot, while she was returning home from school.

In the evening Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian while he was trying to cross from Khan Yunis towards Rafah.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 16:40, Sa’id Hussein Abu ‘Azzoum, 26, was riding an animal cart when he, along with 2 women tried to cross “Morag” road in al-‘Atatra area towards Rafah. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire and Abu ‘Azzoum was wounded by 2 live bullets in the abdomen and the right hand. The women were not injured. Abu ‘Azzoum remained in the area and no one was able to reach him for some time as Israeli soldiers fired on anyone who tried to approach the area. Later, a group of women were able to reach him and carried him to houses located south of the road. He was then rushed to hospital in an ambulance, but was later pronounced dead.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 100m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. On entering the area, an Israeli military bulldozer demolished a 200-square-meter, iron-roofed, empty bird farm owned by Yasser Yousef al-Banna.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, including 3 bulldozers, moved from the Sofa crossing on the boarder of Israel, southeast of Khan Yunis, and took position along the road that links Salah al-Din Street with the Sofa crossing. They closed all branch roads between Rafah and Khan Yunis. A number of Israeli soldiers took position atop of a building in the area from which they began to fire at anyone who entered the area. In the meantime, Israeli occupying forces razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land on both sides of the road linking the “Morag” settlement in the west and Salah al-Din Street to the east. They also razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land on both sides of the road linking Salah al-Din Street in the west, and Sofa crossing in the east. PCHR representatives was unable to travel to the area due to the frequent use of indiscriminate fire by Israeli soldiers, however, according to residents of the area whom PCHR phoned, Israeli occupying forces razed at least 400 donums of agricultural land along these roads.

During these land leveling operations, Israeli soldiers fired at Palestinian civilians who were attempting to cross the road to reach their homes in Rafah or Khan Yunis on their way back from work. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1. Ibrahim Hamad Hamdan Qeshta, 38, from Rafah, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the right foot and the left leg;

2. Midhat Daifallah al-Masri, 20, from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live bullet in both feet;

3. Ahmed Jebara Qaware’, 21, from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot; and

4. Sabri Khaled Salama al-Shami, 46, from Khan Yunis, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head.

PCHR’s field workers reported that al-Shami was wounded while he was attempting to cross the road linking Salah al-Din Street and the Sofa crossing, to return to his home in Khan Yunis. He was evacuated to Martyr Mohammed Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. As he was in a serious condition, doctors decided to transfer him to Shifa Hospital in Gaza city, but Israeli occupying forces denied passage of the ambulance that attempted to evacuated him. After coordinating the passage of the ambulance with Israeli authorities, the ambulance attempted to exit the area for the second time. The ambulance was again obstructed for several hours by Israeli occupying forces. These delays caused further deterioration to al-Shami’s condition.

At approximately 12:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 100m into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They demolished 3 Palestinian houses:

1. They totally demolished a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Salah Suleiman D’ib, in which 13 people lived.

2. They totally demolished a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed uninhabited house owned by Zuhair Isma’il al-Hams.

3. They partially demolished a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Atiya Fusaifes, in which 8 people live.

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces raided 2 schools in Housan village, west of Bethlehem. PCHR’s field workers reported that at approximately 10:00, 2 Israeli military jeeps stopped near a secondary school and an elementary school in the Housan village. Immediately, 6 Israeli soldiers got out of jeeps and broke into the two schools. They moved through classrooms pointing their guns at teachers and students. They severely beat a student, Islam Mohammed D’ib, 15, and a teacher, Subhi ‘Abdul Fattah Najajra, 35, who protested against the beating of the student. They then withdrew from the area.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah, and imposed a curfew. At approximately 08:30, they raided a number of Palestinian houses in the center of the village and forced a number of young men out. At approximately 09:00, a number of Israeli soldiers in the area began to fire at these young men, three of which were wounded:

2. Bashar Mohammed Hussein, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg; and

3. Firas Taher Hussein, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli soldiers positioned at the “Morag” junction on Salah al-Din Street between Rafah and Khan Yunis, and tanks positioned along the road linking the “Morag” settlement and Salah al-Din Street opened fire at Palestinian civilians on Salah al-Din Street and at farms and houses in the al-Manara neighborhood in the south of Khan Yunis. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1. Mohammed Yousef ‘Ouf al-‘Aqqad, 2, wounded by a live bullet in the back while at home; and

2. Fadi Mohammed Mustafa Abu Rahak, 22, wounded by 2 live bullets in the thighs, while he was on his way to Rafah.

In the morning, dozens of Israeli settlers in Hebron launched a series of attacks on Palestinian houses in the Wadi al-Nasara and al-Kassara areas in the south of the town near “Kiryat Arba” settlement. According to eyewitnesses, about 50 Israeli settlers threw stones and bottles at Palestinian houses and terrified Palestinian civilians. Israeli occupying forces did not intervene in or investigate the attack.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in observation towers near the gate established at the southern entrance to Qalqilya, fired at a number of Palestinian children who were playing in the area. ‘Ali ‘Abdullah Hadraj, 13, was wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the head.

At approximately 19:45, Israeli soldiers in a military location in the vicinity of “Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Qarara village. ‘Emad Ahmed Abu ‘Aassi, 12, was wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right thigh.

On 4 October 2003, In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments, Israeli occupying forces perpetrated another extra-judicial assassination in the West Bank town and refugee camp of Tulkarm. The attack left dead a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, as well as a 9-year-old child.

According to investigations carried out by PCHR, at approximately 16:45 on Saturday, 4 October 2003, an Israeli military undercover unit infiltrated Tulkarm refugee camp in 4 civilian cars with Palestinian registration numbers. As they approached the Ashraf Hamam car wash near an UNRWA school, they opened fire at a civilian car - a black Citroen. When the car stopped, 2 Israeli armored personnel carriers and 7 military jeeps arrived on the scene and a number of Israeli soldiers got out of the jeeps and moved towards the targeted car, arresting one of the passengers, before withdrawing from the area. The attack left dead 9-year-old Mohammed Ayman Burhan Barahma, who was hit by a live bullet in the head. According to eyewitnesses, Mohammed was shot while crossing the street near the targeted car. An hour later, Israeli occupying forces admitted responsibility for the attack and stated that the undercover unit had killed 19-year-old Sarhan Burhan Hussein Sarhan, whom they accused of carrying out an armed attack a year ago against "Mitser Kibutz," which resulted in 5 deaths.

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

In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets.

At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 2 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, and 2 helicopters, moved approximately 100m into ‘Abu ‘Oraif Street to the west of the “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. The incursion was accompanied by intense shelling. Israeli soldiers raided a 190-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by Mohammed ‘Abdullah Abu Meghassib, 40. They blew up its door and broke into it. When they discovered that Abu Meghassib was not there, they used his daughter, Ibtissam, 17, as a human shield as they searched the house. Abu Meghassib’s wife stated that Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and sound bombs in each room they searched. Then, Israeli soldiers forced the 7 residents of the house onto the street without allowing them to evacuate any of their belongings. An Israeli military bulldozer moved towards the house and totally demolished it. The bulldozer also razed areas of agricultural land and destroyed other civilian property in the area.

At approximately 04:00 on Sunday, 5 October 2003, about 30 Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into the northern West Bank town of Jenin. They surrounded a 120-square-meter house owned by Tayseer ‘Abdul Malek Jaradat in the al-Marah neighborhood, east of the town. Israeli soldiers broke into, and searched the house. They planted explosives inside the house and forced its 7 residents out. At approximately 05:00, they destroyed the house. The destruction of the house took place less than one day after the owner’s daughter, Hanadi, had carried out a bombing in a restaurant in Haifa inside the Green Line.

At approximately 06:00 on the same day, an Israeli military force of 2 armored personnel carriers and 8 military jeeps moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They surrounded a 150-square-meter house owned by Amjad Ahmed ‘Eissa ‘Obaidi. They forced his wife and 3 children out of the house. Then, Israeli intelligence officers, who accompanied the Israeli soldiers, interrogated the wife on the location of her husband. They claimed that he had sent Hanadi Jardat to carry out the bombing in Haifa, and threatened to kill him. In the meantime, a number of Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house. At approximately 07:30, they destroyed the house.

At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 8 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin and arrested Kamilia Mahmoud ‘Obaidi, 26, the wife of Amjad ‘Obaidi. She is the mother of 3 children under the age of 7. This arrest is seen as a means by which to force her husband to surrender to Israeli forces, as he is allegedly wanted by Israeli authorities.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to construct the “separation wall” in the territory of the West Bank after the Israeli government had approved its second phase, which would extend from “Alkanah” settlement in the north to “Ofar” detention center in the south, southwest of Ramallah. In the meantime, Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the separation wall in the surrounding areas of occupied Jerusalem. During a meeting with Israeli military commanders on Tuesday, 7 October 2003, the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered intensified construction of the “separation wall.”

Israeli occupying forces denied or restricted access of Palestinian farmers to their agricultural land. According to a report published by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture in May 2003, the olive production would decrease by 2200 tons per annum, fruit production would decrease by 50 tons per annum, and vegetable production would decrease by 100000 tons per annum in the next years, due to the uprooting of Palestinian trees and razing of crops by Israeli occupying forces. According to the same report, about 10000 animals would lose their grazing areas. Hundreds of greenhouses and bird and animal farms have also been destroyed. All of this destruction will lead to even more severe and accumulative damage to the Palestinian economy. The report did not mention losses resulting from denial of access of Palestinian farmers to their agricultural lands, a policy which prevents farmers from cultivating their crops.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to level Palestinian lands for the purpose of constructing the “separation wall.” On Monday morning, 6 October 2003, Israeli military bulldozers razed dozens of donums of Palestinian agricultural land in the southeast of Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. These areas of agricultural land belong to the families of ‘Atair and Abu Darana.

PCHR’s field worker in Hebron reported that Israeli military officers and engineers were active in the district to clear the areas where the “separation wall” would cross. On 13 January 2003, Israeli occupying forces handed notifications to 17 Palestinian families in al-Burj and Beit Marsan villages that their houses would be demolished, claiming that these house are located outside the border of the Green Line. According to PCHR’s investigations, some of these houses were constructed before 1948, some 36 years ago and others 20 years ago. The average area of each house is 100-150 square meters, and 7-12 persons live in each. These houses are owned by Nabil Shaker Ahmed Amru, Khalaf Shaker Ahmed ‘Amru, Hafez Shaker Ahmed ‘Amru, Khalil Yousef Zare’ ‘Amru, Yousef Zare’ Khalil ‘Amru, Ziad Yousef Zare’ ‘Amru, Mohammed Yousef Zare’ ‘Amru, Salem Salam ‘Omran ‘Amru, Badawi Ibrahim ‘Amru and ‘Ali ‘Abdul Fattah Edhaidel, from Beit Marsam village, and Kayed Mahmoud Khubaib ‘Awawda, Hussein Ahmed Khalil ‘Awawda, Mohammed Hussein ‘Awawda, Mahmoud Salem Tubaish, Salem Hassan Tubaish, Nayef Mohammed ‘Awawda and Ibrahim Musllam Talahma, from al-Burj village.

According to preliminarily plans approved by Israeli officials, the tract of the “separation wall” in the Hebron district will lead to the isolation of 533000 donums of land from the rest of Hebron, which constitute 48.32% of the total area of the district. The tract of the “separation wall” in Hebron will go 500m-20km into the territory of the occupied West Bank, swallowing large areas of Hebron district, even inside the town itself, such as the old town and the southeastern parts. It will also annex ‘Ethna village and some small villages located around the town. This will cause the isolation and fragmentation of Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The “separation wall” will isolate approximately 85,000 Palestinians west of it, in addition to approximately 30,000 in the old town and the southeastern parts of Hebron.

Since Friday evening, 3 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a comprehensive closure on the OPT. They have closed all border crossings with Israel, Egypt and Jordan and have denied access to the already limited number of Palestinian workers who have permits to work in Israel.

Israeli occupying forces imposed a total internal and external closure on the Gaza Strip from early morning on Sunday, 5 October 2003 and all main internal roads were closed, segregating the Gaza Strip into 4 isolated zones, in addition to the closure of the external access routes to Israel and Egypt.

Israeli tanks, bulldozers and troops moved approximately 3km from “Morag” settlement, and were concentrated along the southern section of the main internal road, Salah al-Din Street, thereby cutting off all traffic between Rafah and Khan Younis. Israeli soldiers raided a Palestinian house located on Salah al-Din Street and took up position on the roof, from which they opened fire on Palestinians in the street below. As a result of the intense deployment of Israeli occupying forces between Rafah and Khan Yunis residents of al-‘Atatra, al-Nasser and al-Fukhari areas have not been able to get to their places of work, universities or schools. They have also faced extreme difficulties in evacuating patients to hospitals. Land leveling conducted by Israeli occupying forces in these areas has damaged water and electricity networks and PCHR has received a number of phone calls from residents pleading for international intervention to end their suffering that has resulted from the closures, as well as shortages of food and other necessities. Many patients from Rafah have not been able to reach the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis due to restrictions imposed by Israeli occupying forces on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the 2 towns.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces closed military checkpoints erected at the entrances of Palestinian communities. PCHR’s field workers reported that on Sunday afternoon, 5 October 2003, Israeli soldiers at those checkpoints denied access of thousands of Palestinian civilians to their homes.

Since Sunday morning, 5 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces have maintained a tight siege imposed on the city. They erected more roadblocks on the main roads restricting the residents’ movement and closed all roads leading to the western part of the city. PCHR’s field workers reported that Israeli occupying forces blocked one of the entrances to ‘Eissawia village with sand barriers.

On Saturday morning, 4 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the military checkpoint on Wadi al-Nar road, which links the south with north of the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians, including students and workers, were forced to wait in long queues and were not allowed to cross the checkpoint. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying have tightened the siege imposed on the Bethlehem area. On Sunday morning, Israeli forces closed “Gilo” checkpoint, north of Bethlehem and restricted the movement of Palestinian civilians at a military checkpoint near Beit Sahafa village, to the northwest of the town.

Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on the southwestern villages of Ramallah and have denied residents of these villages the right to freedom of movement. On Sunday afternoon, 5 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed Qalandya military checkpoint as part of the measures to impose a comprehensive closure on the OPT.

On Sunday afternoon, 5 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed all military checkpoints erected at the entrances to the city. They denied a large number of Palestinian civilians access to their homes. PCHR’s field workers reported that on Saturday, 4 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces obstructed the passage of a group from Medicins Sans Frontieres to Til village, southwest of Nablus for 4 hours. Consequently, about 100 Palestinian patients were deprived of receiving medical attention on that day.

Since Thursday morning, 2 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces have closed all roads leading to the town and isolated it from the rest of the West Bank. This week, Israeli occupying forces repeatedly moved into the town and the refugee camp, imposing curfews. On Saturday, 4 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the gates at the entrance to the central and northern Jordan Valley. These gates are the sole outlet to Jordan for Palestinians living in the northern West Bank.

On Saturday, 4 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Kafriyat military checkpoint, south of the town, isolating it from southern villages. Israeli forces deployed near the checkpoint and chased Palestinian civilians on mountains, hills and farms, detaining some for several hours. Israeli soldiers closed the southern and northern entrances to Kherbat Jebara village, south of the town, as well as the gates of Baqa and Nazlat ‘Eissa villages, north of the town. They denied Palestinian farmers access to their agricultural land to cultivate olives, claiming that their lands are located west of the “separation wall” and also denied Palestinian farmers from Shwiaka area access to their agricultural land which is located near the wall. Israeli occupying forces closed Beit Leed-Ramin road, east of Tulkarm and erected a roadblock there.

Since Wednesday morning, 8 October 2003, Israeli occupying forces have replaced a number of roadblocks and sand barriers at the entrances to the town with iron gates. PCHR’s field worker in Hebron reported that Israeli occupying forces established 2 iron gates at the entrance linking bypass road number 60 with Halhoul, and at the entrance to Sa’ir village. They also added more cement blocks in Beit ‘Ainoun area at the eastern entrance to Hebron. Israeli forces closed Beit Kahel-Hebron road and erected roadblocks in al-Fahes and Qalqas areas in the south of the town. On the same day evening, Israeli occupying forces destroyed parts of the road linking Hebron with Dura village and erected 2 roadblocks on the road. Israeli occupying forces have denied Palestinian civilians passage through those gates and roadblocks.

[1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893