PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 19/2004

13 - 19 May 2004

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

Israeli occupying forces have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). This week, 52 Palestinians, 41 of whom are civilians, including 9 children, were killed by Israeli forces. 45 of the victims were killed during a full scale Israeli offensive on Rafah town and refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. In addition, at least 200 civilians, including about 60 children, were injured; many of them are in serious condition. Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included willful and extra-judicial killings, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and house demolitions. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs.

This week, Rafah town and refugee camp have been subject to a full scale Israeli military offensive unprecedented since the Israeli military "Operation Defensive Shield" in the West Bank in April 2002. During this offensive, Israeli occupying forces have committed a series of serious violations of human rights:

- 45 Palestinians, 38 of them are civilians, including 9 children, have been killed. Four brothers and a man and his son were among the victims. In addition 134 civilians, including about 50 children, were injured. Most of the victims were killed by helicopter missiles and tank shells. On the first day of "Operation Rainbow", 19 Palestinians were killed, 7 of them were killed inside their houses. Eight Palestinian civilians were also killed when Israeli helicopter gunships and tanks attacked a peaceful demonstration.

- At least 105 Palestinian houses have been destroyed in Rafah, rendering 1464 civilians (245 families) homeless. In addition, 23 shops and some civilian properties were destroyed. Two mosques were also severely damaged by the Israeli shelling.

- Rafah has been isolated from its surroundings and medical personnel have been denied access to the wounded.

- Houses have been raided and searched and a number of Palestinians have been arrested.

- Electricity and water supplies and telephone communications have been cut from most parts of the town, which has lacked basic services.

Israeli political and military officials stated that the Israeli military operation in Rafah would continue for several days, which would pose serious threats to the lives of Palestinian civilians and cause a disaster to the town. Israeli occupying forces have used heavy weapons against civilian residential areas in the town. They attacked a civilian peaceful march with missiles and shells. These horrific violations of human rights are committed, while the international community remains inactive, which encourages Israel and its occupying forces to perpetrate more war crimes in violation of international humanitarian law.

In the Gaza Strip, on 15, 16 and 17 May 2004, Israeli helicopter gunships attacked a number of civilian facilities in Gaza City. These facilities were largely destroyed and a number of Palestinian civilians were injured. A number of neighboring houses were also damaged.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians, killing 5 of them. One of the victims was killed in an extra-judicial assassination perpetrated by an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces. A number of other civilians were also injured. Israeli troops also arrested dozens of Palestinians.

On Wednesday morning, 19 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces shelled an apartment building in 'Aska village, northeast of Nablus, claiming that a number of wanted Palestinians were hiding inside. The building was largely destroyed, and Israeli troops did not find any wanted Palestinian inside as they had already claimed. On Friday, 14 May 2004, Israeli troops destroyed a Palestinian house in Ramallah as part of the continuing campaign of retaliation against the families of Palestinians accused of involvement in attacks against Israeli targets.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem. Israeli occupying forces issued a military order seizing about 380 donums of Palestinian land in Bethlehem, for the purpose of the construction of the wall. Israeli military bulldozers demolished 3 Palestinian houses in Arab al-Ramadin village, south of Hebron. Israeli occupying forces also issued a military order closing a fuel station near Barta'a village, southwest of Jenin, which is located near the wall.

For the 8^th consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces isolated Rafah from its surroundings. They closed all border crossings into the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have blocked a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers and trenches, and imposed curfews on a number of villages. Israeli forces have also continued to prohibit Palestinians who are under 45 from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and have isolated the city form the rest of the West Bank.

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

On Thursday, 13 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces initiated a wide scale offensive on Rafah town and refugee camp, during which they committed a series of serious violations of human rights. At the time of issuing this report, 45 Palestinians, 38 of them civilians, including 9 children, have been killed, and 134 civilians, including around 50 children, have been injured. Most of these civilian injuries have been described by medical sources as serious. Israeli troops also destroyed dozens of Palestinian houses, rendering hundreds of Palestinians homeless. They also largely destroyed the civilian infrastructure and civilian facilities in the town and refugee camp.

On Thursday morning, 13 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Israeli forces withdrew from the camp on Saturday morning, 15 May 2004, leaving 14 Palestinian civilians dead, including 2 children, 48 others injured while causing massive destruction across the area. Eleven of the victims were killed by shrapnel from missiles launched by Israeli helicopter gunships. This Israeli military escalation followed the destruction of an Israeli military vehicle near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, which left 5 Israeli soldiers dead.

On 17 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces launched a full scale military offensive on the town in the context of a military operation known as "Operation Rainbow." Until the time of issuing this report, 31 Palestinians, 31 of them civilians, including 7 children, were killed. At least 100 others, many of them children, have been wounded, many of whom are still in serious condition.

According to statements by Israeli political and military officials, this operation will continue for several days, which imposes serious threats to the lives of Palestinian civilians. Palestinian medical personnel have been denied access to the wounded. Residents of the town and refugee camp have been suffering from harsh living conditions as they lack basic services, including electricity and water.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR regarding the first operation, at approximately 01:15 on Thursday morning, an Israeli helicopter gunship, which protected Israeli military vehicles positioned along the Egyptian border opposite to Block L in Rafah refugee camp, launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians who were in the street. Seven civilians were killed instantly, one of whom has not been identified yet:

At approximately 02:00, more Israeli military reinforcements were brought to the border. Soon after, Israeli heavy military vehicles, reinforced by helicopters, moved into Block O in Rafah refugee camp, and shelled the area intensely. Israeli military bulldozers began to demolish a number of Palestinian houses. Three Palestinian civilians were injured by Israeli shelling. At approximately 10:00, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at the area. Four Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed:

Eight other civilians were injured. 7 of them are in serious condition, according to medical sources.

More Israeli military reinforcements were then brought to the border. When Israeli military vehicles moved close to al-Brazil neighborhood, they opened fire at the areas. A 12^th Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Mohammed al-Yaqoubi, 19, was killed by a live bullet in the back, when he was near his house.

Israeli forces continued to shell the area until midnight, injuring 6 Palestinian civilians at their homes. On Friday morning, 14 May 2004, Israeli forces expanded their incursion to include Qeshta and al-Sha'er neighborhoods, and continued to shell Palestinian residential areas in Rafah. At approximately 06:00, Ashraf Hassan Qeshta, 37, was wounded by a several live bullets in the head and the chest, when he was inside his house, adjacent to the Egyptian border. As a result, he bled to death. His body was found when Israeli forces withdrew from the area. In addition, 13 Palestinian civilians were injured by the Israeli shelling. Five of the wounded were in serious condition. One of wounded, Akram 'Abdul Karim Abu al-Naja, 27, died from his injury by a live bullet in the chest.

In this incursion, Israeli forces destroyed 99 homes, including 72 houses completely destroyed and 27 houses partially in Rafah. As a result, 1308 people (221 families) have become homeless. These people join the hundreds of other families in the same area, whose houses have already been demolished. Israeli troops also destroyed 23 shops, a mosque and bank.

According to initial information available to PCHR regarding the second operation, on Monday morning, 17 May 2004, Israeli forces closed Salah al-Din Street, which links Rafah to other areas in the Gaza Strip. They razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the north of Rafah. Israeli troops denied access to vehicles of the ICRC into the town. This prevented humanitarian assistance being provided to its residents.

At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 18 May 2004, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 2 missiles at some Palestinians, including a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, in Block P in Rafah refugee camp. Three members of the resistance were killed:

In addition, 5 civilians were wounded, one of whom is in a critical condition. A number of houses were also damaged. Israeli troops prevented an ambulance from transferring one of the wounded to Gaza European Hospital.

Approximately 2 hours later, Israeli forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah. At approximately 04:00, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at Hani Mohammed Quffa, 18, an activist from the Hamas movement, when he was near Bilal Ben Rabah mosque in al-Quds Street. He was seriously injured. A number of Palestinian civilians who were on their way to the mosque for the dawn prayer attempted to offer him help. Immediately, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 2 missiles at them. Five civilians, including 2 brothers, as well as a man and his son, and Quffa were instantly killed:

Israeli troops raided a number of houses and transformed them into military sites, from which they fired at the streets. Three members of the Palestinian resistance were killed by the Israeli gunfire:

2. 'Emad Fadel al-Mughari, 34, hit by several live bullets throughout the body; and

3. Mahmoud Isma'il Abu Touq, 34, hit by 2 live bullets in the chest and the abdomen.

Israeli forces continued to shell the neighborhood. Seven Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were killed:

1. Sa'id Ibrahim al-Mughayar, 23, hit by several live bullets in the head and the chest;

These victims were killed while they were inside their houses. Their bodies remained in the houses until the evening, as Israeli forces denied ambulances access to the area. In addition, 16 other civilians were wounded. A number of the wounded remained bleeding inside houses for several hours. Due to the siege imposed on Rafah and the minimum capacity of Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, its administration was forced to put bodies of the victims in a vegetable fridge and neighboring shops.

Israeli troops fired at ambulances to obstruct the evacuation of the wounded to the hospital. Medical personnel of 4 ambulances were forced to get out of them and escape as they were fired at.

Electricity and water supplies have been cut from the neighborhood. There are also reports of arrests in the neighborhood, as Israeli troops raided a number of houses. A number of civilian properties were also destroyed.

On Wednesday morning, 19 May 2004, Israeli forces ordered residents of the neighborhood whose ages are between 16 and 40 to get out of their houses holding white flags and gather in schools. Before these civilians arrived at schools, Israeli troops fired at them. Four civilians, including a child, were killed:

2. Khalil Hassan Abu Sa'da, 37, hit by several live bullets in the chest and the abdomen;

Palestinian civilians were subject to degrading treatment and beating by Israeli troops. They were taken to nearby Israeli settlements and military locations, where they were interrogated until the evening. Then, they were all released, with the exception of 3 civilians. Israeli troops also raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians. A number of houses were also damaged by the Israeli shelling.

In an unprecedented attack, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile into a civilian demonstration in Rafah town, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinian civilians, including children.

According to PCHR’s preliminary investigations, on Wednesday afternoon, 19 May 2004, a civil demonstration was organized by the residents of Rafah town and refugee camp. Thousands of residents gathered to march in protest against the ongoing Israeli military offensive conducted in the Tel As-Sultan area of the town since Monday. The march was heading towards the Tel As-Sultan area at around 14:10 during the afternoon. When the first of the marchers were approximately 500 metres from the entrance to the Tel As-Sultan area, an IAF helicopter gunship fired a missile into the crowd of marchers. Eye-witnesses also reported that Israeli forces stationed at the nearby Israeli military post at Tal Zo’ruo fired tank shells and opened fire from machine guns at the marchers at the same time as the missile strike. Eight civilians were killed in this incident, including 4 children. A further 50 Palestinians have been injured, including 10 who remain in a critical condition. Those killed have been identified as:

In total this week, at least 105 Palestinian houses have been destroyed in Rafah, rendering 1464 civilians (245 families) homeless. In addition, 23 shops and some civilian properties were destroyed.

The Israeli military operation is still ongoing. More Israeli military reinforcements were brought to the area. On Wednesday evening, 19 May 2004, Israeli forces expanded their offensive on Rafah as they moved into al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhood. The town is suffering from a shortage of foodstuffs, basic sanitation and electrical services.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkram refugee camp and the villages of Qabatya, Marda, Sarta, Jama'in and Rafat in the north of the West Bank. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinians:

Also in the early morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Hebron, and imposed a curfew. They raided dozens of houses and arrested 35 Palestinians.

At 23:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 500 meters into Abu Haddaf area in al-Qarara village to the south of "Kissufim" settler road, north of Khan Yunis. Israeli troops raided 'Aatef 'Abdul Rahman Mousa's house, held its 10 residents in one room and transformed the roof into a military site. Other Israeli troops raided Suleiman 'Abdul Rahman Mousa's house and held its 4 resident in the same room with the residents of the first house. Israeli troops remained in the area until Saturday morning, 15 May 2004. No arrests were reported, but furniture of the two houses was damaged.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Wad Ma'ali and al-Fawaghra neighborhoods in Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ibrahim Khalil Hassan, 20.

In the afternoon, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm through its southern entrance. Israeli troops were deployed at the crossroads and on the roof of a pharmacy in the area. At approximately 15:45, Israeli troops positioned atop the pharmacy opened fire at passing Palestinian civilians, wounding 3, including 2 children:

1. Ahmed Nasser Mahmoud Kharioush, 13, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;

In the afternoon, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza City, opened fire at a civilian car, wounding a pregnant woman and the driver.

In her testimony to PCHR, the pregnant woman, Nisreen 'Abdul Rahman al-Nabrees, 28, said:

"At approximately 16:00, I was traveling together with my husband and our 3 children in a civilian car driven by Wa'el Shehada Sha'fout, 22, from al-Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City. We were traveling from Gaza City towards al-Boreij refugee camp on the coastal road south of Gaza City. The road was empty as Israeli occupying forces closed the road with sand barriers. When we crossed the sand barriers, Israeli troops in a military post located to the west of 'Netzarim' settlement opened fire at the car. The driver stopped for a few seconds until the gunfire stopped. Then, he drove the car again, and Israeli troops resumed shooting at us. I felt that something hit my right leg, and I saw the driver escaping from the car, who was injured in the right shoulder. My thigh was bleeding. We all got out of the car and crept towards the beach. Farmers in the area called for an ambulance, which evacuated me to the hospital. On the following day, I gave birth to my baby at the same hospital."

At approximately 16:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Qatif" settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Satar al-Gharbi area to the east. A Palestinian civilian, 'Aadel Ahmed al-Astal, 37, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right hand, when he was inside his house, approximately 200 meters away from the source of fire.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces demolished 5 Palestinian houses belonging to al-Masalha family in al-Qarara village to the south of "Kissufim" settler road, northeast of Khan Yunis. As a result, 25 people (5 families) have become homeless. Previously, on May 3, 2004, PCHR had been able to obtain a temporary injunction issued by the Israeli High Court stopping the demolition of these and 6 other houses in the area, to give the families an opportunity to appeal against the demolition order.

Israeli troops have also continued to construct a separating wall along the "Kissufim" road since 6 May 2004.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying helicopter gunships fired missiles at 2 civilian facilities in densely populated areas in Gaza City. The two facilities and a number of neighboring buildings were severely damaged and 10 Palestinian civilians, including a paramedic, were injured.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:30, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched 3 missiles at the first floor of a 3-storey building owned by Akram Sabri al-Hatu in the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. Two missiles struck the offices of the Union of Nurses located on the first floor of the building, causing extensive destruction. The third missile struck an uninhabited residential apartment located the office of the Union of Nurses, also causing extensive destruction. A number of neighboring houses and shops were also damaged. 10 Palestinian civilians, including a paramedic, were injured in the attack, and a number of other civilians were treated for shock. The office has been used exclusively by the Union of Nurses for more than a year. In the past, the office space was rented as the headquarters of the Palestine Centre for Research and Studies, which is known for its close relations with the Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad.

Approximately 20 minutes later, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 5 missiles at the offices of al-Ansar Charitable Society, which are located in a 2-storey building in the densely populated al-Nasser neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. Three of the missiles directly hit the building, causing extensive damage. The other two missiles did not explode.

At approximately 00:15, Israeli occupying forces positioned in a military post to the north of al-Tuffah checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian woman, Fatema Mohammed Abu Nemer, 43, was injured by shrapnel in the abdomen, while inside her house, approximately 400 meters away from the source of fire.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in "al-Nouria" military post, west of Khan Yunis, fired 2 artillery shells at al-Sad al-'Aali area in Khan Yunis refugee camp. The two shells struck an uninhabited house owned by Shukri 'Abdullah Abu Nemer, which had been partially destroyed by Israeli troops on 3 May 2004.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who threw stones at them. One of these children, Eyad Isma'il Bakir, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.

At approximately 10:15, following their withdrawal from Rafah refugee camp, Israeli occupying forces positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at the camp. Israeli gunfire continued sporadically until the evening. Eight Palestinian civilians were injured, including 4 children and 2 women:

7. Fatema Yousef al-Gharbawi, 50, wounded by a live bullet in the right armpit; and

In the evening, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Fu'ad Mohammed Abu Sha'ban, 20, from al-Sabra neighborhood, died from an injury he had sustained during the Israeli offensive on al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City last week. Abu Sha'ban was hit by a live bullet to the head when he exchanged fire with Israeli troops on 11 May 2004. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed as a result of the Israeli offensive on al-Zaytoun neighborhood has reached 16.

In the early morning, Israeli helicopter gunships attacked 2 civilian facilities in densely populated areas in Gaza City.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:25, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 2 missiles at a cultural center located in the first floor of a 3-storey building belonging to the Sukkar family in the densely populated al-Shojaeya neighborhood. The center was mostly destroyed and a 13-year-old child sleeping in a neighboring house was injured. A few minutes following this attack, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at offices of al-Resala weekly on the first floor of a 10-storey building in al-Nasser neighborhood in Gaza City. The missile struck the offices, destroyed their contents, and two Palestinian civilians living in the area were injured.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded:

In the early morning, Israeli helicopter gunships continued to attack civilian institutions in Gaza City, located in densely populated areas, reflecting a blatant disregard for Palestinian civilian lives.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:00, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 5 missiles at a 4-storey building belonging to al-Shurafa family near al-'Emarai mosque in the center of Gaza City, a densely populated area. Four missiles struck and destroyed an office of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) on the first floor of the building. The fifth missile struck an office of Fatah movement on the second floor, severely damaging it. A number of neighboring houses and shops were damaged and electricity was cut off.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

In the morning, in an excessive use of force, Israeli troops killed a Palestinian civilian in Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. Israeli military sources claimed that they had shot and injured a Palestinian who threw stones at them.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 05:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sliwad village, opened fire at Palestinian houses and imposed a curfew on the village. At approximately 07:30, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered in the center of the village and threw stones at Israeli troops. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the stone throwers, killing Mohammed Shehada Mohammed Hamed, 22, with a live bullet to the head. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops fired at the victims from a distance of approximately 50 meters, when he did not pose any threat to their lives.

At approximately 07:40, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bethlehem. They surrounded Sayaj apartment building at the Jerusalem – Hebron road. They raided the building, opening fire at it and at neighboring houses. They then forced residents of the building out and searched their flats. Israeli troops withdrew from the area at approximately 10:00, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron, using 3 civilian vehicles with Palestinian registrations. Israeli troops opened fire at houses and cars. They also chased a number of cars and raided a number of houses and shops. They checked and humiliated a number of Palestinian civilians. A number of houses were damaged, but no casualties or arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus through its southern entrance and moved towards the old town. They opened fire at Palestinian houses in the area. They surrounded a number of houses in the area. Members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with Israeli troops. One individual, Nidal 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed 'Okasha, 24, was killed by a live bullet in the heart. 'Okasha was a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.

Also in the early morning, Israeli occupying forces arrested 4 Palestinians in the old town of Nablus and Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron:

At approximately 08:00, medical sources at an Israeli hospital declared that Ayman 'Abdullah Subhi Abu Jalhoum, 18, died from an injury he had sustained during an Israeli offensive on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip last month. According to PCHR's documentation, Abu Jalhoum was wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen when Israeli helicopter gunships and tanks shelled al-Nada housing project and Beit Lahia. According to Palestinian medical sources, he was hit by an explosive live bullet. Abu Jalhoum was transferred to an Israeli hospital, where he received medical treatment until the time of his death.

At approximately 09:45, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts near "Qatif" settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at al-Satar al-Gharbi area to the east. Suhaib Hussam al-Din al-Farra, 54, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right hand. He was near his house, approximately 400 meters away from the source of fire.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, wounding 2 children:

In the early morning, an undercover unit of Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in Jenin refugee camp.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:30, an undercover unit of Israeli forces moved into the southwest of Jenin refugee camp. Five minutes later, more Israeli troops were brought to the area. Ahmed Hussein Turkman, 21, a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, was carrying out his duty as a night guard in the area. When he realized the presence of Israeli troops in the area, he shouted, apparently to draw the attention of other people. Immediately, members of the Israeli undercover unit opened fire at him. He was killed with several live bullets in the head, the chest and the legs. According to eyewitnesses, he did not fire at Israeli troops, who could have arrested him.

Half an hour later, Israeli forces killed another Palestinian in the old town of Nablus. Israeli military sources claimed that Israeli troops noticed a Palestinian gunman in Nablus and shot him dead. The sources did not mention whether the victim fired at Israeli troops.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. Israeli troops were deployed in the old town and opened fire at houses. They fired at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance. One member of the resistance, 'Essam Nazem Kamel 'Arafat, 25, was killed by a live bullet in the heart. The victim's bother had been also killed by Israeli troops on 3 January 2004. Israeli troops also arrested 3 Palestinians, including a woman:

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into 'Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They surrounded a 300-square-meter, 4-storey apartment building owned by Ahmed Mohammed Jouda. Israeli troops opened fire at the building for about 30 minutes. Then, Israeli troops forced the 36 residents of the building (7 families) out and gathered them in a neighboring yard. Israeli troops resumed shelling the building claiming that wanted Palestinians were hiding inside. The owner's son, 'Alaa', and a number of other residents of the building offered to move into the building before Israeli troops. They entered the building surveyed it and did not find anyone. However, the officer of the Israeli military unit, who introduced himself as "Captain Namroud", accused them of lying. He ordered his troops to shell the building. Fire broke out in the flats.

During this operation, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops. Immediately, Israeli troops opened fire at these civilians, wounding 6, including 3 children:

1. Mousa Khalil Edris, 13, from 'Askar refugee camp, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the right side;

2. Mansour 'Aadel Ramez Dababsa, 22, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest;

5. Mohammed Yahia Edris, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg; and

During their withdrawal from the camp at approximately 08:30, Israeli troops fired dozens of tear gas canisters at the camp. Two Palestinian journalists suffered from tear gas inhalation:

1. 'Alaa' Badarna, 27, a reporter at the local Sawt al-Mahabba broadcasting station; and

On Tuesday, 18 May 2004, an undercover unit of Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in 'Anza village, south of Jenin. Israeli military sources claimed that Israeli troops shot the victim as he got out of the car carrying a gun, but did not mention if he fired at Israeli troops. The victim was a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, who was wanted by Israeli authorities.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:30 on Tuesday, Mohammed Ahmed Mahmoud 'Obaid, 27, and Mohammed Nasser Barahma, 21, both from 'Anza village, south of Jenin, were traveling in a civilian car from their village towards Sanour village to the east. While they were traveling on an agricultural road linking between the two villages, they were fired at from olive fields. They attempted to escape in their car, but Israeli military jeeps chased their car, which soon turned over. When 'Obaid got out of the car, Israeli troops opened fire at him from a distance of approximately 50 meters. He was killed by several live bullets in the chest. Barhma was wounded and arrested.

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. In this context, on Friday, 14 May 2004, Israeli forces destroyed one house in Um al-Sharayet neighborhood, south of Ramallah.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00 on Friday 14 May 2004, Israeli forces moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood, south of Ramallah. They surrounded a 150-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by 'Abdullah al-Shu'ani. They forced the 10 residents of the house (2 families) out. Then, they planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it. The owner is the father of Eyad and Riad al-Shu'ani, who have been detained by Israeli authorities.

This week, Israeli forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Israeli forces further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. This week, they isolated Rafah from other parts of the Gaza Strip. For the 8^th consecutive week, Israeli forces have continued to close all border crossings into the Gaza Strip. In the first three days of the week, Israeli forces portioned the Gaza Strip into three isolated zones. Although, checkpoints erected on the main road in the Gaza Strip were reopened, Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis. They also imposed similar restrictions at all entrances to Palestinian areas located near Israeli settlements and prevented Palestinian civilians from moving freely. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law, to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

On Monday morning, 17 May 2004, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved from "Morag" settlement, north of Rafah, and Sofa crossing, northeast of the town, towards Salah al-Din Street which links between Rafah and Khan Yunis. They were positioned on this road and other branch roads separating between the two towns. Palestinian civilians living in areas located between Rafah and Khan Yunis suffer from severe living conditions, due to the presence of Israeli forces in these areas. They have not been able to carry out their daily life activities. Israeli forces also closed Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border. Thus, Rafah has become completely isolated from the outside world. As a result of these measures, dozens of patients have not been able to reach the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis. There is only one hospital in Rafah, which is not able to cope with the increasing number of casualties due to the wide-scale offensive on the town. Ambulances face extreme difficulties in transferring the wounded to hospitals in Khan Yunis.

Although Israeli forces reopened the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, which had been closed since 11 May 2004, they continued to obstruct movement of Palestinian civilians.

On Thursday evening, 13 May 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Abu Houli checkpoint, south of Deir al-Balah, fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at hundreds of Palestinian civilians who had been waiting at the checkpoint for 2 days. One civilian was injured and dozens of others suffered from tear gas inhalation.

On Saturday, 15 May 2004, Israeli troops opened the two checkpoints for a few hours, during which they held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between.

At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 16 May 2004, Israeli troops reopened the two checkpoints, but they imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were forced to wait for long hours at the two checkpoints.

For the ^8th consecutive week, Israeli forces have continued to close border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel, denying access of thousands of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel. They have also closed the Erez industrial zone.

In violation of the right of health, for two weeks, Israeli forces have denied access of Palestinian patients from the Gaza Strip to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank to receive medical care. They have also denied entry of medicines into the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces have imposed more restrictions at Rafah Terminal, the only outlet of the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada. On 17 May 2004, they closed the terminal. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel back to the Gaza Strip have been forced to wait at the Egyptian side of the terminal under severe conditions. Since 18 April 2004, Israeli forces have continued to prohibit Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 35 from traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border.