PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 25/2003

19-25 June, 2003

Israeli Forces escalate war crimes in the OPT

Israeli occupying forces have continued to conduct human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including extra-judicial killings, collective punishment, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions and agricultural land leveling and arbitrary arrest and detention. This week 19-25 June 2003, 5 Palestinians, including 2 women, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial killings, or assassinations, officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments against Palestinian political and field activists of the Intifada, Israeli occupying forces carried out 2 assassination attempts, killing 3 Palestinians. The latest attempt took place in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis, on 25 June 2003. Two non-targeted civilians were killed. The targeted person, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli authorities for his membership of the Hamas movement, survived the attempt, but was wounded. 12 passing civilians were also wounded. In another assassination, on 21 June 2003, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces shot dead 'Abdullah 'Abdul Qader al-Qawasmi, 43, from Hebron, who was accused by Israeli forces of being the leader of the military wing of Hamas movement in the West Bank. On the same day, a Palestinian civilian from Gaza city died from wounds sustained during the assassination of a Hamas activist on 13 June 2003.

In an apparent willful killing, on 21 June 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian woman, who was suffering from psychological disturbances, in the southern Gaza Strip. The woman was left bleeding in the area for 24 hours during which time the Israeli forces did not offer medical assistance. Later, Israeli forces admitted that they killed the woman by mistake.

This week, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 8 incursions into Palestinian areas, including in Rafah, Khan Yunis, Deir al-Balah and Beit Lahia. During these operations they destroyed 12 Palestinian houses and razed more than 50 donums[1] of Palestinian land. These actions further exacerbated the deteriorating economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

In violation of the prohibition on collective punishment provided for in international humanitarian law, Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against relatives of Palestinians alleged to have carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed a house in the northern West Bank town of Jenin.

This week, Israeli occupying forces waged a campaign of arbitrary arrests and house raids in the West Bank. They raided houses and arrested dozens of Palestinian civilians, including a number of university students. They also arrested dozens of relatives of Palestinians alleged to have carried out attacks against Israeli targets.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a total siege on the OPT, isolating communities from each other, and from Israel and neighboring countries. This week, Israeli occupying forces restricted movement of Palestinians along Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip). They repeatedly closed Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on this road for several hours, while conducting security checks on Palestinians and their vehicles. They arrested a number of Palestinian civilians, including a paramedic. They have also continued to impose night curfews on Palestinian areas adjacent to Israeli military locations in the Gaza Strip. Although, Israeli forces reopened the Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, they have decreased working hours, thereby further restricting the number of Palestinians able to travel through the border.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial killings, or assassinations, officially adopted by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian political and field activists of the Intifada, on Saturday evening, 20 June 2003, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces assassinated 'Abdullah 'Abdul Qader al-Qawasmi, 43, from Hebron. Qawasmi was accused by Israel of being the leader of the military wing of Hamas movement in the West Bank. A second assassination attempt this week targeted Mohammed Na'im Siam, 28, a member of Hamas movement. Siam survived the attempt in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, but 2 passing Palestinian civilians were killed and 12 others were wounded.

According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 20 June 2003, al-Qawasmi left al-Ansar mosque in al-Salam Street in the West of Hebron after the evening prayer. He was reportedly unarmed. When he was approximately 70m away from the mosque, members of an Israeli undercover unit got out of 3 Palestinian-plated cars. Without prior warning, they opened fire at al-Qawasmi from a close distance, killing him. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers fired at the victim continuously for more than 5 minutes. Then the forces surrounded him and fired at his body from close range. Israeli forces surrounded the mosque and opened fire preventing worshippers from leaving. They closed the area and imposed a curfew, denying access for Palestinian ambulances. After approximately an hour and a half, they transferred al-Qawasmi's body to an unknown destination.

The Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot quoted Israeli military sources on its Arabic website as saying that "an Israeli undercover unit arrived to the place in Hebron where al-Qawasmi was present to arrest him. He fired at soldiers, so they returned fire and killed him." At the beginning of the weekly meeting of the Israeli cabinet on Sunday, 22 June 2003, Israeli Prime Minster Ariel Sharon praised the assassination, saying: "I would like to thank security services for the success of the important operation of yesterday in Hebron." Sharon described the operation as "very important to achieve security for the citizens of Israel." He added that "if Palestinians do not assume security responsibility in proposed areas, Israel will continue its operations to achieve security for its citizens."

According to PCHR's investigation and eyewitnesses' statements, at approximately 18:00 on Wednesday, 25 June 2003, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched 3 missiles at a civilian car, a Peugeot, which was traveling on a residential road linking the 'Abasan and Khuza'a villages, east of Khan Yunis. The first 2 missiles missed the target and exploded ahead of the car. While the driver was trying to move back, a third missile hit the front of the car. Palestinian civilians hurried towards the car, and took out the driver, Mohammed Na'im Siam, 28. Siam is wanted by Israeli occupying forces for being a field leader of the military wing of the Hamas movement. He sustained multiple shrapnel wounds throughout the body.

Shrapnel from the missiles hit a passing taxi, a yellow Mercedes, in which 5 Palestinian civilians were traveling. The driver and a girl who was sitting in the back seat were killed:

In addition, 12 civilians passing by were wounded; two remain in a serious condition.

A Palestinian Civilian Dies from Wounds Sustained in a Previous Extra-Judicial Killing

On Saturday morning, 21 June 2003, medical sources at Shifa' Hospital in Gaza city declared that Hassan 'Atiya Abu 'Eida, 54, from al-Sabra neighborhood in Gaza city, had succumbed to a wound he sustained on 13 June 2003, when Israeli helicopter gunships assassinated Fu'ad al-Liddawi, a member of Hamas movement. More than 30 Palestinian civilians, including a number of children, were wounded in the attack. Abu 'Eida sustained multiple shrapnel wounds throughout the body. He was transferred to an Israeli hospital where he received medical care until his death.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 400m into Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis. They raided a 360-square-meter, 2-storey uninhabited house owned by 'Omar Ramadan Nasser Rashwa. They planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it. They also razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds and destroyed an irrigation network and an agricultural pool owned by 'Omar Ramadan Rashwan.

2. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Munir 'Abdullah al-Sha'er.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with 3 heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by No'man Hussein Hassan Hammouda. PCHR's field worker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that Israeli forces withdrew from the area, but returned later and took position atop of a hill where the razed land was located.

Simultaneously, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 300m into the east of the northern Gaza Strip of Beit Hanoun. They razed a 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Yousef 'Abdul Nabi Abu 'Eida.

At approximately 17:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza city. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and fruits and destroyed agricultural equipment owned by Ra'fat Suleiman Shahin.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, and under cover of intense gunfire, moved approximately 300m into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a fuel station:

1. They razed a 2.5-donum area of agricultural land and destroyed a water pump owned by 'Olayan Mousa al-Falouji.

2. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, palms and lemons owned by Fu'ad Mousa Hussein al-Agha.

3. They razed a 2.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fu'ad Mousa Hussein al-Agha.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 700m into Palestinian areas north of "Kfar Darom" settlement in the southeast of Deir al-Balah. They razed an area of agricultural land and demolished a number of civilian facilities:

1. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms and destroyed a 60-meter-long fence owned by Mosa'ed Mohammed Abu al-Aa'war.

2. They demolished a 70-square-meter house owned by Mohammed Yasser Abu al-Aa'war, in which 5 people lived.

3. They demolished an 800-square-meter, asbestos-roofed bird farm owned by Mohammed Ahmed Abu Salim.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, moved approximately 150 into Palestinian areas north of "Kfar Darom" settlement in the southeast of Deir al-Balah. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a house:

1. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, palms and citrus owned by Mohammed Hamed 'Akkila and brothers.

2. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms and destroyed a well, a water pump, a 20-square-meter room and a 16-square-meter bird farm owned by Mahmoud 'Ouda Abu Samra.

3. They demolished a 50-square-meter house and a 70-meter-long fence and uprooted 30 olive trees owned by Farhana Ghaith al-Louh.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with 2 tanks and a bulldozer, moved approximately 500m into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, which has been under an Israeli military siege for 2 months. They demolished a fence surrounding a 300-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Majed Salama al-Kafarna.

At approximately 16:40, Israeli occupying forces in military locations at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian child, Mohammed Zuhair Zannoun, 16, was wounded by shrapnel in the lower limbs. PCHR's field worker in Rafah reported that the child was approximately 300m away from the source of fire.

A few minutes later, Israeli forces shelled Block O in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian woman, Siham Mohammed Abu Taha, 40, was wounded by shrapnel in the face. PCHR's field worker in Rafah reported that she was wounded whilst inside her home.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with about 20 heavy military vehicles, including bulldozers, and helicopters moved approximately 2km into al-Satar al-Sharqi area in the north of Khan Yunis. They raided 2 Palestinian houses belonging to Mohammed Mustafa al-Astal and 'Abdul Bari Mohammed Mousa al-Astal. They forced the 20 residents of the houses outside. They searched the houses using 2 of the residents as human shields. During the incursion, Israeli military bulldozers razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an agricultural pool owned by heirs of Mohammed Mohammed Qassem al-Astal.

2. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Ibrahim Ahmed al-Astal.

3. They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olive owned by Ahmed Mustafa al-Astal.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, and under cover of intense gunfire, moved approximately 200m into the Khan Yunis refugee camp. They demolished 4 Palestinian homes:

1. A 230-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Sabri and Kayed Hussein Ahmed Abu Mousa;

3. A 140-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Ali and Sa'di Jaber Mohammed Abu Khurais; and

At approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying forces in military positions in "Gani Tal" and "Qatif" settlements, opened fire at al-Satar al-Gharbi and al-Rabwat areas in the north of Khan Yunis. A Palestinian girl, Islam Subhi al-Farra, 21, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand while she was inside her home, which is located approximately 700m away from the military positions.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with more than 20 heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved approximately 400m into al-Salam neighborhood in Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They demolished 5 Palestinian houses and razed areas of agricultural land:

1. They totally demolished a 150-square-meter house owned by Hussam Mohammed 'Abdul Hadi, in which 9 people lived.

2. They partially demolished a 200-square-meter house owned by Jaber Mohammed Ghunaim, in which 8 people lived.

3. They partially demolished a 200-square-meter house owned by Fathi 'Ali 'Abdul 'Aal, in which 8 people live.

4. They partially demolished a 300-square-meter house owned by Rabah Hamed Salah, in which 7 people live.

5. They partially demolished a 300-square-meter house owned by Walid Hamed Salah, in which 7 people live.

6. They razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by 'Awadh Mohammed Hassan al-Sha'er.

7. They razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Saleh Sa'id al-Bashiti.

8. They razed a 2.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Husni Suleiman al-Sha'er.

9. They razed a 2.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Rami Suleiman Saleh al-Sha'er.

10. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Salem Mahmoud al-Sha'er.

11. They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Hamdan Marzouq al-Sha'er.

12. They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with fruitful trees owned by 'Olayan Hamed Salah.

In an apparent willful killing, on Saturday evening, 21 June 2003, in Rafah, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian woman who was suffering from psychological problems. The woman was left bleeding for 24 hours during which time the Israeli forces did not provide medical assistance. Later, Israeli forces admitted that they shot her by mistake.

According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 21:55, Israeli soldiers stationed in a military position on the Rafah-Khan Yunis road, north of the junction leading to "Morag" settlement, north of Rafah, opened fire on a Palestinian woman who was approximately 100m away. At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 22 June 2003, the Palestinian liaison was informed by the Israeli liaison that there was a body in the area. After coordination with the Israeli side, at approximately 20:30, a Palestinian ambulance moved towards the area. The ambulance stopped 50m away from the aforementioned junction. Then, the driver and a paramedic got out of the ambulance and went towards the body. They carried the body to the ambulance and transported it to the Martyr Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. There, the victim was identified as Su'ad 'Abdul 'Aziz Eshtaiwi al-Buhdari, 27, from al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. According to medical sources, she was hit by 3 live bullets to the head, the abdomen and the pelvis. The body was in a state of decomposition as it had been lying in the open for almost 24 hours. According to the victim's family and neighbors, Su'ad was suffering from psychological disorders and often left home for several hours. The Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported on its Arabic website that Israeli forces had stated that they would initiate an investigation into the incident.

Collective Punishment against Relatives of Those Alleged to Have Carried out Attacks against Israeli Targets

In violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits collective punishment, Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians alleged to have carried out attacks against Israeli targets.

At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 24 June 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into Deir Abu Dha'if, east of Jenin. They surrounded a 90-square-meter house belonging to the family of Jalal Khalil Mohammed Mahamid, who carried out a bombing in Wadi 'Aara inside the Green Line earlier this year. Israeli soldiers gave the 10 residents of the house 10 minutes to evacuate their furniture. Then, they planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it.

This week, Israeli occupying forces waged a campaign of arrests and house raids in the West Bank. They raided houses and arrested dozens of Palestinian civilians, including a number of university students. They also arrested dozens of relatives of Palestinians alleged to have carried out attacks against Israeli targets.

According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 03:00 on Monday, 23 June 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They raided apartments belonging to university students and a number of houses. They arrested about 80 university students.

Late on Tuesday, 24 June 2003, after having seized complete control over Hebron, Israeli occupying forces arrested dozens of alleged Hamas activists. They raided houses in Wadi al-Hariya, Abu Snainah, al-Haras, al-Jama'a, Wadi Abu Katila, Ras al-Joura, 'Eissi and Be'r al-Mahjar neighborhoods. Many residents reported humiliating treatment by the Israeli forces during the house raids. The Israeli forces also used dogs to search properties. The campaign of arrest targeted civilians of various ages and of both sexes. The wife, father, 5 brothers and 5 children, the oldest of whom is 12 years old, of 'Abdullah 'Abdul Qader al-Qawasmi, who was assassinated by Israeli occupying forces on Saturday, 21 June 2003, were among those arrested. Israeli forces also arrested the father and brothers of Hazem al-Qawasmi, who was killed while carrying out an armed attack one month ago.

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 take effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article 146.

3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute 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.

[1] 1 donum equals 1000 square meters.

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