• 22 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 5 child and a mentally handicapped man, were killed by Israeli forces

• 13 of the victims were killed during a major Israeli military incursion into the northern Gaza Strip

• The leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and 2 of his bodyguards were extra-judicially assassinated by Israeli forces

• Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

• 40 houses were destroyed by Israeli forces in Rafah refugee camp

• 2 houses were destroyed and 50 donums[1] of agricultural land were razed in the Gaza Strip

• Houses were raided and dozens of Palestinians were arrested

• Continued use of Palestinian civilians as human shields in Israeli military operations in the OPTs

• Israeli forces continued to shell Palestinian residential area injuring a number of Palestinian civilians

• Construction of the “Annexation Wall” in the West Bank has continued and more areas of Palestinian land were seized

• Israeli settlers continued their attacks on Palestinian civilians and properties

• 3 Palestinian houses were destroyed by Israeli forces 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 to impose a total siege on the OPTs: Palestinians from the Gaza Strip whose ages range between 16 and 35 were denied travel; and a Palestinian civilian died at an Israeli military checkpoint

Introduction

 This week, Israeli occupying forces have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).  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, 22 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including the leader of Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, 5 children and a mentally handicapped man, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

 In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 11 military incursions into Palestinian areas.  The largest incursion took place on 20 April 2004 and targeted the northern Gaza Strip, during which Israeli forces killed 13 Palestinians, including 4 children, and injured about 100 others, including at least 50 children.  They also destroyed a number of civilian facilities in the area. 

 On 15 and 16 April 2004, Israeli forces moved into Rafah, and destroyed 40 houses, killed one Palestinian and injured 24 others.  Israeli forces also razed about 50 donums of Palestinian agricultural land throughout the Gaza Strip. 

 On Saturday evening, 17 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces assassinated Dr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Rantissi, 57, leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip.  The attack also killed two of Dr. al-Rantissi’s bodyguards, and wounded four civilian bystanders.  This illegal and belligerent act is implemented within the context of Israeli authorities’ threats to assassinate Hamas leaders, which have been articulated by Israeli political and military officials for the past two years.  In addition, a Palestinian civilian died from an injury he sustained during the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on 22 March 2004. 

 On 17 April 2004, Israeli forces killed a mentally handicapped Palestinian near an Israeli settlement south of Gaza city. 

 In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of military incursions into Palestinian areas and fired at Palestinian demonstrations.  Three Palestinian civilians, including a child were killed, and dozens of others were wounded or arrested. 

 In an unprecedented operation, Israeli occupying forces moved into Silwad village, north of Ramallah, the home village of Khaled Mash’al, Head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).  They raided and searched dozens of houses.  They arrested at least 70 Palestinians, including a number of relatives of Khaled Mash’al and Ibrahim Mar’ei Hamed, who is allegedly wanted for being the leader of the military wing of Hamas movement in the West Bank.  Mar’ei’s five brothers and 9 of their sons were among those who were arrested.  Israeli forces also destroyed 3 houses in Bethlehem and Tulkarm as a means of punishment. 

 Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the "Annexation Wall" inside the West Bank, especially in Jerusalem district.  This week, Israeli occupying forces confiscated areas of Palestinian land in al-Walaja village and Beit Jala in Bethlehem district for the purpose of the construction of the wall between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.  Israeli forces used force against Palestinian civilians who organized peaceful protests against the construction of the wall. 

 This 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, following the assassination of Dr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Rantissi on Saturday evening, 17 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and closed all border crossings into the Gaza Strip, except for Rafah Terminal.  They also imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at all entrances to Palestinian areas located near Israeli settlements and prevented Palestinian civilians from moving freely.  In the context of the Israeli policies of collective punishment, Israeli occupying forces, which have control over Rafah Terminal, informed the Palestinian liaison about a new decision, according to which Palestinians whose ages range between 16 and 35 would be prohibited from traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border as of 16 April 2004.  In the West Bank, on Sunday, 18 April 2004, Israeli forces declared Nablus a closed military zone and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilian.  A Palestinian civilian died while he was waiting an Israeli military checkpoint near Nablus. 

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

 Thursday, 15 April 2004

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Shadi Mazen Abu Hatab, 25, and arrested him. 

 At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ghassan Yousef Mar’ei, 22, and arrested him. 

 At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rami Ahmed al-‘Adam, 24, and arrested him. 

 At approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Taqqou’ village, east of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Murad ‘Aayesh al-Badan, 23, and arrested him. 

 At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested D’iaa’ Jaber ‘Ali al-Titi, 23. 

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wa’el Tawfiq Hanani, 26, and arrested him. 

 At approximately 05:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 100 meters into Palestinian agricultural areas located to the north of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  They demolished a site of the Palestinian National Security Force, and razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and fruits owned by Sa’id Mohammed al-Qurainawi.

 At approximately 06:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 200 meters into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border.  They demolished 5 Palestinian houses:

1.     A 155-square-meter house owned by Salah Mahmoud al-Sha’er, in which 6 people lived;

2.     A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sha’er, in which 17 people (2 families) lived;

3.     A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Riad Hamdan al-Sha’er, in which 5 people lived;

4.     A 150-square-meter house owned by Saleh Mohammed ‘Othman al-‘Ajrami, in which 15 people lived; and

5.     A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed ‘Abdul Fattah Ya’qoub al-Natour, in which 8 people lived. 

Israeli occupying forces claimed as usual that they were searching for tunnels used for smuggling weapons.  However, it appears that they seek to expand the buffer zone established along the border.

 In the meantime, Israeli occupying forces maintained their incursion into Block J in Rafah refugee camp, which began on Wednesday, 14 April 2004.  At approximately 07:00, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians, injuring 24, including 11 children.  Four of the injured were in serious condition.  During this 20-hour incursion, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 24 Palestinian houses completely and 9 others partially.  As a consequence, 67 families (approximately 370 people) have become homeless.  In the evening, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli forces.  One member of the resistance, ‘Ali Mohammed Barhoum, 19, was killed by a live bullet to the neck.  As a result of the Israeli discriminate shelling, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were injured, and offices of the Islamic Society, an emergency medical point and a number of houses were damaged. 

 Note: PCHR has lists of the Palestinians who were wounded and the houses that were destroyed. 

 Also in the morning, Israeli soldiers wounded and arrested two Palestinians from Kufor al-Dik village near in the north of the West Bank. 

 According to investigations, at approximately 07:00, Yousef ‘Abdul Wahab ‘Omar al-Dik, 36, and Ahmed ‘Abdul Karim Hussein al-Dik, 35, were on their way to their agricultural land in the north of the village, and were surprised by the presence of Israeli occupying forces in the area.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the two Palestinians.  The first man was wounded by a live bullet in the leg, and the latter attempted to escape, but Israeli soldiers fired at him.  He was wounded, but the nature of his wound was not clear.  Israeli soldiers then arrested the two Palestinians.  Later, their families were informed that they were evacuated to an Israeli hospital. 

 At approximately 13:35, Israeli soldiers in a military jeep positioned near “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Ahmed Jamil Tawfiq Shubair, 22, when he tried to move away a number of children who were playing near the aforementioned settlement.  He was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.   

At approximately 16:40, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood to the northeast.  A member of the Palestinian National Security Force, Yousef Fu’ad Khater, 33, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh, while he was patrolling in the area. 

 At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps.  They opened fire at Palestinian houses and markets.  As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.     Mohammed Mustafa al-Noubani, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder;

2.     Naheda Kahder ‘Omar al-Bahash, 51, wounded by 3 live bullets in the left hand and leg and the right thigh;

3.     ‘Emad Khaled Salim Walwil, 27, wounded by shrapnel in the chest;

4.     ‘Ali Fu’ad Khaled al-Baz, 21, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the legs;

5.     Salah Hussam Sa’id al-Hawa, 22, wounded by a tear gas canister to the chest; and

6.     Mohammed Rebhi Rida al-‘Ouna, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand. 

Friday, 16 April 2004

 At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians:

1.     Ziad Sadiq Gharbiya, 40;

2.     Shehada Mahmoud Habaiba, 37;

3.     Mo’tassem ‘Abdullah Habaiba, 22; and

4.     Karem Mohammed Jawad, 18. 

At approximately 10:00, Israeli soldiers on a tank positioned at al-Salam square in the south of Tulkarm fired at a Palestinian civilian who was traveling in his car in the area.  He was seriously wounded by a live bullet that entered the back and the hit his kidneys and intestines.  According to investigations conducted by PCHR, ‘Ali Mahmoud Mahmoud ‘Ali ‘Abboudi, 39, from Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm, was traveling in his car from his village towards Tulkarm refugee camp.  When he arrived at al-Salam square, he was surprised by the presence of an Israeli tank in the area.  Israeli soldiers ordered him through megaphones to get out of the car, an order which he complied with. Israeli soldiers then ordered him to get into the car and leave.  When he was approximately 150 meters away from the tank, an Israeli soldier fired a live bullet at him and hit him in the back.  A taxi that passed by the area evacuated him to a hospital in Tulkram.  According to medical sources, he was in serious condition. 

 After the Friday Prayer, hundreds of Palestinian civilians demonstrated in the center of Ramallah in protest against the construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank.  Dozens of the demonstrators moved towards Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.  When they arrived at al-Doura area, west of the village, Israeli soldiers fired dozens of tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  At approximately 14:30, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition at the demonstrators.  A Palestinian child, Hussein Mahmoud Hussein ‘Olayan, 17, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head.  He was immediately evacuated to Ramallah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead one hour later.  In addition, 2 other civilians were wounded:

1.     Sharif Ahmed Suleiman, 54, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder; and

2.     Tha’er ‘Abdullah Na’san, 24, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand. 

At approximately 13:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 800 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  They razed 25 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:

1.     They razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by Salman ‘Obaid Abu Mandil. 

2.     They razed a 9-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and peppers and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Eid Mahmoud Mansour Abu Samra. 

3.     They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and vegetables and destroyed an irrigation network and a barbwire fence owned by Ahmed ‘Abdul Malek Ghunaim. 

4.     They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Mohammed ‘Atwa al-‘Eimawi. 

 At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300 meters into Palestinian agricultural areas to the west of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  They razed 8 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:

1.     They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Nader As’ad Bashir.

2.     They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms and destroyed an irrigation network and a 100-meter-long fence owned by N’ema Ahmed Bashir.

3.     They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms and destroyed a 70-meter-long fence owned by Hammad Mohammed Bashir. 

4.     They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives, palms and guavas owned by ‘Essam Saber Abu Samra. 

5.     They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse planted with tomatoes stood, owned by ‘Awad ‘Adli Abu Samra. 

Saturday, 17 April 2004

 At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians, including 3 brothers:

1.     Shadi Mousa al-Sheikh, 24;

2.     Nasser Mousa al-Sheikh, 38;

3.     Mohammed Mousa al-Sheikh, 42;

4.     Mu’ammar Mohammed al-‘Arouj, 19; and

5.     Ra’ed Mohammed Hammoud, 21. 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Dura village, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of Palestinian houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Majed Mohammed al-Sha’rawi, 26; and

2.     Tayseer al-Sous, 30. 

At approximately 07:00, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by 2 military bulldozers, moved approximately 200 meters into the north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.  During this 4-hour incursion, they razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed some civilian facilities:

1.     They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and destroyed a 420-square-meter bird farm and 2 agricultural rooms owned by Mohammed Hassan Abu Sidu. 

2.     They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by the heirs of Salim Mohammed Abu Ramadan. 

Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm.  They took position in the area located between al-Salam square and Tulkarm refugee camp.  They opened fire at passing Palestinian civilians, wounding 3:

1.     Ghaleb ‘Awad ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Tammam, 45, hit by 2 live bullets to the legs;

2.     Khaled Mahmoud Ragheb Hassan, 24, hit by shrapnel to the legs; and

3.     Munjed Rashed Jayousi, 30, hit by shrapnel to the face. 

In the afternoon, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces opened fire at Nizar Rasmi Qaffisha, 24, from Hebron, seriously wounding him.  Soon after, Israeli soldiers beat and arrested him. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:45, Qaffisha was near the entrance of Cairo-Amman Bank in the center of Hebron.  A civilian car with Israeli registration stopped near him.  A number of armed persons who were wearing civilian clothes got out of the car and opened fire at Qaffisha.  He was hit by several live bullets to the chest and the shoulder.  He attempted to escape, and ran for about 200 meters, but Israeli soldiers who arrived at the area to reinforce the undercover unit captured him.  Israeli soldiers severely beat him even though he was injured and bleeding, and he lost consciousness as a result.  Soon after, Israeli soldiers handcuffed and arrested him. 

 In the afternoon, Israeli soldiers in an armored personnel carrier positioned at al-Salam square in the south of Tulkarm fired at civilian car seriously wounding a Palestinian child. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:00, Ja’far Mohammed al-Tibi was traveling in his car with his wife and three daughters from the east to the south of Tulkarm.  After they passed by al-Salam square and were approximately 40 meters away from it, Israeli soldiers fired at the car, and a bullet penetrated the back window of the car.  Shrapnel from the bullet hit his daughter, Batoul, 5, in the lung, the spinal column and the face.  She was evacuated to a hospital in Tulkarm, from which she was transferred to an Israeli hospital as she was in a serious condition.

 At approximately 21:45, Israeli soldiers positioned in military posts and tanks to the west of Khan Yunis shelled Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp.  An artillery shell hit an electricity tower near Mohammed Salem Abu Mustafa’s house, approximately 200 meters away from the source of fire.  Shrapnel from the shell penetrated the asbestos roof of the house and hit the owner’s daughter Iman, 9, in the head.  About 15 minutes later, an Israeli tank fired an artillery shell at the area.  The shell hit a wall of Sa’di Isma’il Budair’s house.  Shrapnel from the shell injured 6 Palestinian civilians, including a man, his child and an old man:

1.     Sari Ne’mat al-Bardawil, 9, seriously injured by shrapnel in the head;

2.     Ne’mat Isma’il al-Bardawil, 37, injured by shrapnel in the head, the right arm and the left shoulder;

3.     Sa’di Ibrahim Budair, 40, seriously injured by shrapnel in the head and the back;

4.     Khalil Ibrahim al-Buzom, 62, 62, injured by shrapnel in the feet;

5.     Mo’ein Mahmoud ‘Aashour, 40, injured by shrapnel in the head and the limbs; and

6.     Bassam Mohammed Eftaiha, 40, injured by shrapnel in the head and the shoulder. 

In a case of apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying forces killed a mentally handicapped Palestinian civilian, when he was near “Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza City. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 22:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in the vicinity of “Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza City, opened fire at a person who was to the north of the north of the settlement and instantly killed him. Israeli military sources later claimed that Israeli forces killed an armed Palestinian who was attempting to enter the aforementioned settlement.  On the following morning, 18 April 2004, Israeli forced searched the area and discovered that the victim was unarmed.  At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces delivered the victim’s body to the Palestinian side.  The body was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.  According to medical sources, the victim was hit by live bullets and shrapnel throughout the body.  As the victim was not identified, the body was shown on Palestine Television.  At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 20 April 2004, the victim was identified as Ejmai’an ‘Ali Suleiman Abu Shaqqura, 34, from al-Zawaida village in the central Gaza Strip.  According to his family, he was mentally handicapped and he had been left the house 10 days earlier.  The family knew about his death from his relatives who saw his body on Palestinian Television. 

 At approximately 22:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in a military post inside “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at neighboring Palestinian houses.  A Palestinian civilian, Tamer ‘Obaid Abu ‘Obaid, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the left knee, when he was with his friends approximately 1500 meters away from the source of fire.    

Sunday, 17 April  2004

 At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 300 meters into Abu Haddaf area in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah.  Covered by intense Israeli shelling, they raided Mohammed Musallam Abu Haddaf’s house.  They forced the 22 residents of the house out and searched the house.  At approximately 07:00, they withdrew from the area, arresting 3 of the owner’s sons: ‘Azmi, 35; Jamal, 33; and Suleiman, 32.  The first two sons were released later, while the third son remained in custody.  According to the family, walls of the house were severely damaged by the Israeli shelling. 

 At approximately 02:20, Israeli occupying forces positioned in a military post in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Zo’rob neighborhood to the north.  A Palestinian woman, Bassema Hamed Hijazi, 28, was injured by shrapnel in the left thigh while she was inside her house. 

 At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin.  They imposed a curfew on the village, but lifted it in the afternoon. 

 At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin, and imposed a curfew.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported. 

 Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm.  They took position in the area located between al-Salam square in the south of the town and Tulkarm refugee camp in the east of the town.  They fired at passing Palestinian civilians, wounding 16-year-old Muhannad Shukri al-Hamshari with a live bullet in the right thigh. 

 At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the west of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood to the east.  Two Palestinian civilians were injured:

1. Khamis ‘Ali Mansour, 22, injured by shrapnel in the left thigh; and

2. Ibrahim Jamal al-Gun, 20, injured by shrapnel in the right thigh. 

At approximately 09:00, dozens of Palestinian schoolchildren organized a demonstration in Burqa village, northwest of Nablus.  A number of Israeli military jeeps were positioned inside the village.  The children threw stones at the jeeps.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding 13-year-old Samer Mohammed Daghlas with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.  Israeli forces then imposed a curfew on the village and closed its schools. 

 At approximately 10:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts around “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the west.  A Palestinian woman, Salwa Nasser Abu Khamis, 30, was wounded by a live bullet in the head, while she was on the roof of her house, approximately 500 meters away from the source of fire. 

 At approximately 11:00, a number of Palestinian schoolchildren in Deir Abu Mash’al village, north of Ramallah, organized a demonstration.  They moved towards the entrance of the village and threw stones at a neighboring Israeli military observation tower.  Israeli soldiers fired at the children, seriously wounding 13-year-old Islam Hashem Rezeq Zahran with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head. 

 At approximately 11:30, a number of Palestinian schoolchildren organized a demonstration in ‘Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah.  They moved towards the entrance of the village.  Israeli forces patrolling the area fired at the children, wounding 10-year-old Ussama Bassam Mohammed with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.       

 At approximately 12:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered at the entrance of Silwad village, east of Ramallah.  They threw stones at Israeli military vehicles that were traveling on the main road near the village.  Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets at the children.  Mohammed Jamal ‘Abbas Hamed, 15, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right side. 

 At the same time, a number of Palestinian civilians demonstrated at the western entrance of Qalandya refugee camp, south of Ramallah.  They threw stones at Israeli soldiers positioned at a military checkpoint to the south of the camp.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired the demonstrators.  ‘Abdullah Rushdi Zayed, 20, was wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the legs. 

 At approximately 14:00, Israeli soldiers positioned at Bab al-Zawia square in the center of Hebron fired live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets at a number of Palestinian civilians who participated in a demonstration organized in protest against the assassination of Dr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Rantissi.  A child and woman were wounded:

1.     Ahmed Nafez Jaradat, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and

2.     Halima Ya’qoub Nasser al-Din, 50, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left foot. 

At the same time, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a demonstration at the northern entrance of Bethlehem.  When the demonstrators moved towards Bilal Ben Rabah mosque, Israeli soldiers fired at them.  As a result, Sharif Abu Sarhan, 17, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg. 

 In an excessive use of force, in the evening, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian civilian in Biddu village, northwest of Jerusalem, when they opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli peace activists who demonstrated in protest against the construction of the “Annexation Wall” on the lands of the village.  In addition, 8 civilians were wounded. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, in the evening, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and a number of international and Israeli peace activists demonstrated in Biddu village, northwest of Jerusalem.  When they arrived close to the vicinity of construction site, Israeli soldiers opened fire at them.  D’iaa’ ‘Abdul Karim Ibrahim Abu ‘Eid, 22, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest.  He was evacuated to a hospital in occupied Jerusalem, but medical efforts made to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead at 21:00. 

Monday, 19 April 2004

 At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Dura village, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Nidal Mithqal ‘Abdul Qader ‘Amru, 22; and

2.     Majed Mahmoud Fadel al-Sha’rawi, 38. 

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 3 bulldozers, moved approximately 150 meters into Palestinian areas located to the north of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  Without prior warning, they demolished a 400-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mahmoud ‘Ouda Ahmed Abu Samra, in which 31 people (4 families) lived.  They also demolished 2 storage facilities that stood on a 150-square-meter area owned by the ‘Akkila fuel company. 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Ahmed Salem Jawabra, 20; and

2.     Shadi Ahmed Jawabra, 18. 

At approximately 08:15, Israeli occupying forces moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin.  They surrounded 3 schools in the village.  They forced teachers and students out and informed them that the schools would be closed for two days. 

 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 4 Palestinians:

1.     Nader Ma’rouf al-Atrash, 23;

2.     Rami Kamel Musleh, 26;

3.     Mo’tassem Sa’oud ‘Eid, 20; and

4.     Mohammed Jalal Sanad, 24. 

In an excessive use of force, in the evening, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  Israeli forces moved into the camp and surrounded a house.  They fired at Palestinian civilians who threw stones at them. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  They opened fire at Palestinian houses and imposed a curfew.  Then, they surrounded Ahmed ‘Abdul Qader Abu ‘Awad’s house in the center of the camp, claiming that wanted Palestinians were hiding inside.  Israeli forces forced the 30 residents of the house out.  A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at the Israeli forces.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire at these civilians.  Mujahed ‘Abdul Qader Ahmed Abu ‘Awad, 19, was wounded by several live bullets in the upper part of the body.  Israeli soldiers prevented civilians from reaching him to offer him help.  Consequently he bled to death.  Israeli soldiers took his body in a military jeep to an unknown destination.  In addition, Ahmed ‘Abed Rabbu Shawabka, 18, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg. 

 At approximately 23:10, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 400 meters into ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah.  They surrounded two houses belonging to ‘Atiya and Ahmed Khalil Abu Humaida.  They forced the 22 residents of the two houses out and searched the residents.  Then they used ‘Atiya as human shield while searching the two houses.  At approximately 01:00 the following day, an Israeli military bulldozer started to destroy 4 greenhouses owned by the two families.  However, they stopped the destruction as the families asked Israeli forces to allow them to dismantle the greenhouses.  Israeli forces gave them 4 days to dismantle the greenhouses, and then they withdrew from the area. 

Tuesday, 20 April 2004

 At approximately 00:50, Israeli occupying forces raided and searched offices of the Islamic Charitable Society and an annexed school in Dura village, southwest of Hebron.  They confiscated a number of computer sets and files. 

 At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 300 meters in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  They surrounded a 200-square-meter house owned by ‘Azmi Mohammed Musallam Abu Haddaf.  They forced its 11 residents out without allowing them to vacate any of their belongings, and demolished the house.